Funding provides opportunities for food and drink manufacturers to address current and future business challenges through the development of innovative solutions across the business, from process innovation through to product development.
The FDF has close ties with various funding bodies across the UK. These include UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), Innovate UK, the KTN, and the research councils (i.e., BBSRC and EPSRC) as well as regional bodies such as the Greater Lincolnshire LEP.
We also have established connections with researchers within academic institutions, the catapult network and businesses who are at the forefront of the latest innovations. The FDF can connect you with the right people to drive innovation through suggesting funding routes, connect you to potential project consortia collaboration and support with funding applications.
If you are interested in a free expert consultation into your business and where resource efficiencies could be made to increase the productivity of your business, check out the Food and Drink Innovation Gateway.
Spotlight
AI solutions to develop AI competencies in key sectors
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will invest up to £2 million in innovation projects as part of the BridgeAI programme.
This competition opens at 11th November 2024 and closes at 29 January 2025.
The aim of this competition is to develop responsible and ethical AI personalised learning solutions, to support AI competency development, with food processing being one of the key sectors it focuses on.
To be eligible your project must:
- have a grant funding request of between £50,000 and £100,000
- last between 6 and 10 months
- carry out all of its project work in the UK
- intend to exploit the results from or in the UK
- start by 1 June 2025 and end by 31 March 2026
To lead a project or work alone your organisation must:
- be a UK registered business of any size
- be or involve at least one UK registered micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)
Additionally, your project must focus on:
- one or more of the learner personas defined in the AI Skills for Business Competency Framework, including AI Workers, AI Professionals or AI Leaders
- equality, diversity and inclusion in AI focussed personalised learning journeys
Updates
Made Smarter Adoption Programme extension
In the Autumn Budget announcement, the UK Government committed to spend 16m for the extension of its Made Smarter Adoption programme, continuing the commitment made by the previous government.
The programme started in the North West in 2019 and has engaged with 2,500 business and funded 379 technology projects - investments which are expected to grow the economy by £267m over the next three years.
The work is due to start in 2025 and will roll into 2026, this time stretching across all nine English regions and will provide access to technology advice, leadership and skills training and grant funding for digital internships and technology projects. These interventions will boost productivity, growth, create new high value jobs and decarbonise SME manufacturers across the country.
The Government announced its plans for a further extension of the Made Smarter programme with up to £37m of funding between 2025 and 2026. If you are interested in exploring how Made Smarter could support your SME please contact Tanya.
You can find additional information on funding and grant opportunities on our Funding and Grants page here.
Receive updates on this topic
Want to keep up to date on this topic?
You can receive email updates on this topic by registering for an FDF account.
You can edit your preferences so that you receive updates on the topics and the type of information you are interested in.
Interested in becoming a member?
FDF members have access to a range of benefits to grow, protect and strengthen their business.
Gain an advantage, join FDF today.
Related topics
Innovation
FDF Cymru is a The University of Sheffield AMRC Cymru, and acts as the food and industry liaison officer for food and drink packaging in Wales.
Automation and manufacturing technology
Automation is likely to be a key development in food manufacturing as part of the need to increase efficiency and productivity.
Innovation Gateway
Innovation support from across the UK that enables you and your business to get connected with the organisations and people best placed to help you.