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UKRI Innovation Loans: 2025 Update for Grant Teams
The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Innovation Loans programme has relaunched for 2025 with bigger awards and new sector priorities. Here are the key details your bid team needs today.
TL;DR
- Loan amounts now stretch to £2 million with repayment over 10 years and 0% interest during development.
- Priority sectors include clean tech, advanced manufacturing, and health innovation.
- Align loan bids with your cashflow stress tests and sustainability plans to reassure trustees and funders.
What changed for 2025?
UKRI’s February 2025 call increases the maximum loan size from £1m to £2m and extends repayment terms to 10 years with up to 36 months draw-down. The official guidance emphasises support for later-stage R&D transitioning into deployment.
Key dates & sectors
- Expression of interest deadline: 24 March 2025.
- Full application window: May–July 2025.
- Sectors: clean tech, advanced manufacturing, health and life sciences, critical digital infrastructure.
What grant teams should do now
- Update your prospect list and scoring using the funder scoring rubric.
- Refresh financial models with the budget scenario planner and cashflow stress test.
- Line up evidence of market traction, IP, and sustainability plans.