EMIZ Innovation Accelerator

East Midlands Investment Zone (EMIZ) Innovation Accelerator supports initiatives in the Clean Energy Industries and Advanced Manufacturing Sectors.

The scheme will provide up to £50k per project (80% of costs) for eligible feasibility projects and up to £100k per project (80% of costs) for demonstrator projects.

The lead grant applicant must be from University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University or University of Derby and each project must include an industry partner located within the administrative boundary of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

The EMIZ Innovation Accelerator will fund up to 80% of the full economic cost (FEC) of the grant. The university partner should cover the costs of the remaining 20% FEC.  Match funding from the industry partner should be equivalent to the 100% FEC grant value. This can be as an in-kind contribution or direct cash contribution.

The Fund has a two-stage application process starting with the expression of interest stage which is open until 20 February.

Feasibility projects must completed by October 2026, and demonstrator projects by March 2027.

EMIZ Innovation Accelerator Fund projects can include:

• Feasibility
• Proof of concept
• Prototyping
• Development and deployment of new technologies
• Overcoming barriers to entry in highly regulated sectors

The Fund will provide grants to support the development of collaborations with industry to bring university research and expertise into commercial, aligned with the overarching aim of the EMIZ.

The Fund will focus on four interconnected clusters within the region in Clean Energy Industries and Advanced Manufacturing Sector – Nuclear, Propulsion, Renewable Energy & Green Construction and Advanced Manufacturing, and deliver on the innovation roadmaps developed for these clusters in the pilot.

Access more details and the application form, here