Summary
UK-registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £40 million for late-stage demonstration research and development projects. Projects will support the UK’s transition to zero-emission vehicles and pathway to a net-zero automotive industry.
Eligibility criteria
This competition is open to single and collaborative entries.
To lead a collaborative project or work alone, your organisation must be a UK-registered business of any size.
To collaborate with the lead, your organisation must be one of the following UK-registered
Your project must
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have a total eligible grant funding request of between £500,000 and £1.5 million
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last between 9 and 12 months
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start by 1 February 2026
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end by 31 January 2027
Applications open on 14 July and close on 1 October 2025.
Additional information
DRIVE35 (Driving Research and Investment in Vehicle Electrification) is funded by the Department for Business and Trade and delivered in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre and Innovate UK. This innovation fund aims to support R&D projects that design, develop and manufacture strategically important technologies in the automotive sector.
This competition is split into two strands
Strand 1 DRIVE35 Innovation Fund Collaborate
Strand 2 DRIVE35 Innovation Fund Demonstrate (this strand)
Strand 2 aims to develop a product or process demonstrator to show increased capability and commercial exploitation opportunity as a result of the project.
Support organisation
- Advanced Propulsion Centre
- Innovate UK
