Manufacturers across Greater Lincolnshire are being encouraged to explore a new funding opportunity aimed at bolstering the UK supply chain. The Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Innovation CR&D competition, as reported by Business Lincolnshire News, is now open and offers a share of up to £6.5 million for collaborative research and development projects. This initiative presents an exciting chance for local firms to scale their innovations, tap into new markets, and foster stronger inter-sector connections.
Greater Lincolnshire boasts a diverse manufacturing landscape, ranging from agri-tech and food processing to engineering, energy, and materials. This competition is designed to leverage that diversity, promoting cross-sector collaboration. It invites projects that unite partners and demonstrate how innovations in one industry can benefit another. For instance, adapting automation techniques from food production for aerospace or employing agricultural sensor technology in battery manufacturing.
The competition focuses on five key areas: digital manufacturing and industrial AI, robotics and automation, additive manufacturing, power electronics, and measurement and sensing technologies. To qualify, projects must involve at least two different advanced manufacturing sectors and include an active end user, such as a major manufacturer or Tier 1 supplier. This ensures that the innovations developed are grounded in real-world demand and can be adopted at scale.
Funding for these ambitious projects ranges from £250,000 to £1 million, covering up to 70 percent of eligible costs, depending on the size of the business. Projects are expected to run between 12 and 36 months, commencing in October 2026 and concluding by September 2029. Each consortium must be led by a UK-registered business, with no single partner contributing more than 70 percent of the total project costs.
Applications must clearly demonstrate the potential impact of the projects, such as improving productivity, enhancing supply chain resilience, or optimising resource use. With ongoing challenges related to costs, skills, and supply chain disruptions, manufacturers are keen to find innovative ways to remain competitive while doing more with less.
This competition is not just about technological advancement; it is about creating connections between ideas, partners, and industries to stimulate growth across the broader manufacturing ecosystem. For businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, it represents an opportunity to forge collaborations beyond the region and showcase local expertise on a national platform.
Manufacturers interested in applying are encouraged to start forming partnerships and refining their project ideas as soon as possible. The competition is currently open and will close at 11am on 10 June 2026. Interested parties can find more information and apply through the Innovate UK Business Connect website.