Up to £5,000 for UK Businesses and Research Organisations – Horizon Europe Springboard Scheme

The Horizon Europe Springboard Scheme for Cluster 4 Industry Themes is offering up to £5,000 in grant funding to help UK organisations prepare competitive applications for Horizon Europe research and innovation funding.

Delivered by Innovate UK and Innovate UK Business Connect, the scheme supports organisations developing proposals under eligible topics within the Horizon Europe Cluster 4 Industry and Horizontal Activities Work Programme 2027.

The programme aims to increase UK participation in European research and innovation by helping organisations establish international partnerships, strengthen project proposals and undertake preliminary research.

Applications are OPEN and close on 2 February 2027, or earlier if the available funding is exhausted.

Here's what you can expect:

• Up to £5,000 in grant funding per organisation, excluding VAT

• Funding for up to 20 eligible UK organisations

• Support for preparing Horizon Europe funding applications

• Funding for international partnership development

• Support for external proposal-writing expertise

• Funding for preliminary feasibility studies

• Opportunities to develop international research collaborations

• Support for project development workshops

• Funding awarded on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis

What activities can be funded?

The programme supports three main types of activities.

1. International Partnership Building

Funding can help organisations establish the international relationships needed to develop collaborative Horizon Europe proposals.

Eligible activities include:

• Joining relevant European partnerships

• Attending international consortium-building events

• Participating in brokerage and networking events

• Visiting prospective research partners

• Developing international collaborations

2. Horizon Europe Proposal Development

Organisations can use funding to strengthen the quality of their funding applications.

Eligible activities include:

• Engaging external proposal-writing specialists

• Allocating dedicated internal staff time

• Developing project proposals

• Preparing technical application documents

• Organising proposal development workshops

• Finalising applications for eligible Horizon Europe calls

3. Feasibility Studies and Project Scoping

Funding can support early-stage activities needed to develop a credible research and innovation proposal.

Examples include:

• Preliminary feasibility studies

• Market opportunity assessments

• Project scoping activities

• Technical planning

• Project development workshops

What sectors are supported?

Applications must relate to eligible topics within the specified Horizon Europe 2027 work programmes.

Relevant innovation areas include:

• Advanced manufacturing

• Materials and production technologies

• Industrial innovation

• Digital technologies

• Artificial intelligence

• Robotics

• Clean industrial technologies

• Sustainable manufacturing

• Other eligible Cluster 4 Industry and Horizontal Activities topics

Important: Not every Horizon Europe Cluster 4 topic qualifies. Applicants must check the scheme's eligible topic list before applying.

Who can apply?

The programme is open to eligible UK-established organisations interested in participating in Horizon Europe.

Potential applicants include:

• Startups and SMEs

• Established businesses

• Universities

• Research organisations

• Research and technology organisations

• Other eligible organisations preparing Horizon Europe proposals

Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed activities directly support the development of an application under an eligible 2027 Horizon Europe topic.

Key eligibility requirements

Applicants must:

• Be legally established in the United Kingdom.

• Be developing a proposal for an eligible Horizon Europe 2027 topic.

• Explain how the requested funding will strengthen their application.

• Identify appropriate partnership-building, proposal-development or feasibility activities.

• Obtain written eligibility confirmation from the UK Cluster 4 Industry National Contact Point before applying.

• Submit no more than one application per organisation.

Important: Contact the National Contact Point First

Before submitting an application, organisations must contact the UK Cluster 4 Industry National Contact Point (NCP).

Applicants need to:

1. Identify their intended Horizon Europe funding topic.

2. Explain their proposed project concept.

3. Outline the activities they want the Springboard funding to support.

4. Request confirmation of eligibility.

5. Receive written approval before submitting the application.

National Contact Point Email:

[email protected]

A phone call or meeting alone does not count as approval.

The NCP aims to respond within 10 working days, so applicants should allow sufficient time before the deadline.

How much funding is available?

Maximum Grant: £5,000 per organisation

Number of Awards: Up to 20

Funding Type: Proposal development and international collaboration grants

VAT: The £5,000 maximum excludes VAT.

Only one grant is available per eligible organisation.

If proposed activities cost more than £5,000, applicants must explain how the additional costs will be funded.

How is funding paid?

Successful applicants must complete the relevant Innovate UK Innovation Funding Service onboarding process.

Grant funding is paid through reimbursement of eligible expenditure.

Applicants must:

• Retain evidence of eligible costs.

• Submit the required financial documentation.

• Comply with their Grant Offer Letter.

• Complete the relevant grant claims process.

Payments are expected between 1 and 15 April 2027, subject to the grant conditions.

Important: Applicants should not assume their costs will be reimbursed before receiving formal confirmation of funding.

How does the application process work?

Step 1 – Identify an Eligible Horizon Europe Topic

Review the eligible Cluster 4 Industry and Horizontal Activities topics for 2027.

Step 2 – Contact the National Contact Point

Email [email protected] with your proposal concept and intended activities.

Step 3 – Obtain Written Confirmation

Wait for written confirmation that your organisation and proposed activities are eligible.

Step 4 – Prepare Your Application

Applicants will need to explain:

• Their proposed Horizon Europe project

• The relevant funding topic

• Their organisation's expertise

• Existing or planned international partnerships

• How the requested funding will be used

• Expected outcomes

• Proposed activities and costs

Step 5 – Submit Online

Complete the official Springboard Scheme application form.

Step 6 – Complete Grant Onboarding

Successful applicants will be invited to complete the Innovate UK funding administration process.

Key dates

Applications Opened: 10 August 2026

Application Deadline: 2 February 2027