Grant Advisory

 

Empowering the growth of your R&D and innovation strategies.

 

We support companies throughout their innovation journey, helping identify suitable grant opportunities, prepare compelling applications, and strengthen their chances of securing funding

 

What types of grants do we support?

 

We work with companies on their Innovation Roadmap and assist them to identify and apply for UK and European Innovation grants.
European Grants

 

Horizon Europe, Eurostars, EIC Accelerator

 

 

Innovate UK

 

Sector-specific calls, KTPs, Collaborative R&D

 

 

Regional Grants

 

Local authority & devolved nation schemes

 

 

Are you eligible for innovation grant funding?

 

Innovation grant funding supports projects that demonstrate a clear advance in science or technology.

 

An innovation project is:
‘A project going beyond the state of the art, demonstrating a real breakthrough, but not going off into science fiction’

 

Projects should move forward along the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale — typically advancing 1 TRL level per year.

 

Not Eligible

 

X  Projects that apply existing, widely accessible knowledge or technology in standard ways — such as adapting off-the-shelf solutions or repeating well-known processes.

 

X  Projects that may lead to significant market impact but don’t involve a technological advance. Market potential alone isn’t enough.

 

X  Costs that fall outside the eligible window — for example, anything incurred before the project starts (like baseline research or feasibility studies), or after the technical work is complete (such as marketing, sales, or commercialisation activities)

Eligible

 

✓  Projects that involve your technical or R&D team doing something genuinely new — creating a game-changing product, process, or service that advances the current state of the art.

 

✓  Activities carried out during the core phase of the project, where technological uncertainties are being resolved. This includes direct R&D and certain indirect support functions.

 

✓  In short:Funding is aimed at the technical problem-solving stage — where innovation is happening — not the preparatory or promotional stages.

TRL levels – what are they, what do they mean?

 

In the context of UK and European grants, TRL stands for Technology Readiness Level. It is a scale originally developed by NASA and now widely adopted in grant frameworks to measure the maturity of a technology, from early research to commercial deployment.

 

The TRL scale typically runs from 1 to 9:

TRL 1–3: Early-stage research

 

  • TRL 1 – Basic principles observed
    Fundamental research. Scientific observations and theoretical studies begin.
    Example: A new material property is identified in the lab.
  • TRL 2 – Technology concept formulated
    The basic concept is defined, but practical applications are speculative.
    Example: Researchers suggest how the new material could be used in batteries.
  • TRL 3 – Experimental proof of concept
    Analytical and lab studies validate the concept.
    Example: A lab test shows the material can store energy.

 

TRL 4–6: Applied research and development (prototype stage)

 

  • TRL 4 – Technology validated in a lab
    Components are integrated and tested under controlled conditions.
    Example: A small lab-scale battery using the new material works as expected.
  • TRL 5 – Technology validated in relevant environment
    The technology is tested in conditions that mimic real-world use.
    Example: The battery is tested in a climate chamber simulating real operating conditions.
  • TRL 6 – Technology demonstrated in relevant environment
    A prototype is demonstrated in a near-real environment.
    Example: A battery prototype is installed in a real device or system.

 

 

TRL 7–9: Demonstration and commercialisation

 

  • TRL 7 – System prototype demonstration in operational environment
    A prototype is tested in the actual operating environment.
    Example: The battery is installed in an electric vehicle for testing.
  • TRL 8 – System complete and qualified
    The technology is proven to work in its final form under expected conditions.
    Example: The battery is validated as safe, durable, and efficient for cars.
  • TRL 9 – Actual system proven in operational environment
    Full commercial deployment and use in the market.
    Example: The battery is mass-produced and used in commercial vehicles.

 

 

How they are used in grants

 

 

  • Grant eligibility and scope: Many funding programmes target specific TRL ranges.
    • Basic science calls may fund TRL 1–3.
    • Development and demonstration calls often fund TRL 4–7.
    • Commercialisation support may target TRL 7–9.
  • Project requirements: Applicants usually need to state their starting TRL and intended end TRL. For example, a call may fund projects starting at TRL 4 and ending at TRL 6.
  • Evaluation criteria: Reviewers assess whether the planned work matches the TRL range of the call, and whether the project can realistically progress along the TRL scale.

 

In short: TRLs provide a common language for funders, researchers, and businesses to understand how “ready” a technology is, and to design funding programmes that fit different stages of innovation.

Types of Innovation:

Product Innovation

Process Innovation

Business Model Innovation

Service Innovation

 Computing Innovation

Technology Innovation

Digital Innovation

 Incremental Innovation

Disruptive Innovation

Sustainable Innovation

Social Innovation

Open Innovation

Here to help… every step of the way

 

The key to a successful grant application is through a clear and concise description of your project, the technical advancements it will make, and how it meets a market or sector demand.

 

To help you achieve this, we first need to understand the facts of your project. That’s why we start with a discussion about your innovation R&D plans with one of our Grant Funding Managers.

 

✓  Following this meeting and signing an agreement, ABGi will work with you to prepare the various elements of the application:

 

✓  Detailed responses to core questions from the grant provider

 

✓  Financial projection of project costs, justifying value for money

 

✓  Realistic project plan to guide you from start to finish

Supporting appendix documents where required

 

Click below to find out how we work with you from concept to submission.

 

Let’s get started

 

For a free consultation and analysis of the potential returns you might expect from your projects, contact the ABGi UK Grants Advisory Team.