Up to £450,000 for UK-Swiss Collaborative R&D – UK-Switzerland CR&D Round 3

The UK-Switzerland Collaborative R&D Round 3, delivered by Innovate UK and Innosuisse, provides grant funding for UK and Swiss organisations working together on innovative projects in semiconductors, life sciences and engineering biology. Innovate UK has allocated up to £3 million, alongside at least CHF 3 million from Innosuisse.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Up to £450,000 in UK grant funding per project

• A share of up to £3 million from Innovate UK

• At least CHF 3 million separately available from Innosuisse for Swiss partners

• Projects lasting 18–36 months

• Funding for feasibility studies, industrial research and experimental development

• Focus on semiconductors, life sciences and engineering biology

• Projects should lead to new products, processes or services with strong commercial potential

• Projects must demonstrate genuine collaboration between the UK and Switzerland.

Who can apply?

• A UK-registered business of any size must start the UK application

• The project must involve at least one grant-claiming UK SME

• Applicants must collaborate with at least one independent Swiss implementation partner

• The consortium must normally include at least one UK or Swiss research institute

• UK partners can also include universities, charities, nonprofits, public-sector organisations and RTOs

• No single country or project partner can account for more than 70% of the total project costs

• Projects must demonstrate a clear route towards commercialisation.

Funding rates: For feasibility and industrial research, UK businesses can receive up to 70% for micro/small businesses, 60% for medium businesses and 50% for large businesses. Experimental development rates are up to 45%, 35% and 25% respectively.

Application deadline: 3 September 2026 at 11:00am UK time.