If your business is developing innovative digital technologies that could help small manufacturing businesses to improve their efficiency, you can apply for a grant from Innovate UK. The Made Smarter Innovation (MSI) programme includes funding for feasibility studies and industrial research for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) resource and energy efficiency.
Your project must develop digital solutions relating to one or more of the following:
Resource efficiencies
- raw material waste
- production process waste
- packaging waste, including in-process single-use materials
- maintenance/servicing waste, including fluids and components
- utilities waste
- end of life waste
Energy efficiencies
- boilers and steam
- air compressors or vacuum
- motors, drivers, pumps or hydraulics
- induction or welding
- chilling or freezing
- spray, extraction or dryers
- ovens, kilns or furnaces
- heavy machinery or presses
Your project must develop innovative digital solutions that are affordable, easy to use and scalable across SMEs.
For feasibility studies, the total costs of your project must be between £25,000 and £150,000.
For industrial research, your total eligible costs must be between £200,000 and £1 million.
To lead a project your organisation must be a UK registered SME or micro-business operating as a technology developer. For feasibility studies you can work alone or collaborate with other organisations; industrial research projects must be collaborative and include at least two UK registered SMEs operating as manufacturers alongside the lead technology developer.
Grants for micro or small organisations can be up to 70% of costs; grants for medium-sized organisations can be up to 60% of costs.
Focus of fund/fund aims:
Funding to help technology developers to test and develop digital technologies that help small manufacturing businesses to improve their energy and resource efficiency
Application deadline:
10 December 2025