£350K Energy Catalyst Early Stage Round 11

This funding is part of the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) and provided by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). This is part of the UK’s Ayrton Fund commitment.

The aim of this competition is to accelerate the innovations needed to create new or improved clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region and Latin America. This is to create a just and inclusive energy transition and extend the benefits of clean energy for all to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 and 13.

Grant funding — up to £7 million total across strands.

• Project size: Eligible costs between £50,000 – £350,000.
• Duration: 6–24 months.
• Funding limit: not all high‑scoring projects guaranteed funding.

• Costs between £50,000 and £300,000.
• Duration 3–12 months.
• Start August 1, 2026; end by March 31, 2030.
• Must deliver clean energy access in ODA‑eligible regions.
• At least two legally separate organizations.
• Must include at least one UK‑registered administrative lead (organization of any size, claiming grant funding).
• Must involve at least one SME (micro, small, or medium enterprise) from anywhere in the world.
• Administrative lead: UK‑registered organization, manages finances (“hub and spoke” model).
• Technology lead: can be a business, RTO, or academic institution from anywhere in the world.
• Must include at least one eligible grant‑claiming SME.
• Partners can be businesses, universities, charities, NGOs, or RTOs.
• Subcontractors allowed (any country, justified costs).
• Non‑funded partners permitted (their costs count toward total).
• Must comply with UK sanctions rules.
• Animal research must follow UKRI welfare guidance.
• Projects must start on the first of the month
• Running a project or organization
• Working (full-time or part-time)