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Quick answer
Access to advanced manufacturing R&D facilities and expertise. Access to UK advanced manufacturing R&D centres, equipment and expertise to support industrialisation of new products and processes. It is aimed at Manufacturers needing scale-up R&D. Eligibility typically requires UK manufacturers and innovators. Engagement via Catapult centres. Application: Project-by-project.
Funding amount
Varies
Region
United Kingdom
Stage
Any stage
Provider
High Value Manufacturing Catapult
Advisor view
This is best treated as a strategic partner rather than a grant source — the value comes from facilities, networks and de-risking work, not headline cash. Start with a small paid project.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is High Value Manufacturing Catapult really for?
- It works best for organisations that already meet the eligibility test on paper and have the operational maturity to deliver — not for businesses hoping the application will force them to formalise.
- What are the most common reasons applications are rejected?
- Weak evidence, eligibility misses, and applications that read as business as usual rather than the specific intent of the scheme. Most rejections are avoidable with earlier preparation.
- Can early-stage startups apply?
- Sometimes — but the strongest applicants usually have at least minimum trading history, a defined plan and the team to deliver. If you are pre-revenue with no plan, expect to be too early.
- How competitive is it?
- Demand routinely outstrips supply for the high-profile UK programmes. Treat any competitive call as a serious bid that needs four to six weeks of preparation, not a weekend.
- What should I prepare before I apply?
- A short written summary of what you are doing and why it qualifies, your latest accounts or forecasts, and any partner or evidence the scheme expects. Get adviser sign-off before submission.
- What happens after a successful application?
- Expect monitoring, reporting and milestone evidence. Plan the reporting cadence and internal owner before the funding lands, not afterwards.
Who it's for
Manufacturers needing scale-up R&D.
Usually too early when
Advisor signal
You have no defined technical question, no commercial route to market, or no internal capacity to engage on a weekly cadence.
Eligibility
UK manufacturers and innovators. Engagement via Catapult centres.
Evidence you'll need
Project brief, IP position.
Application timeline
Project-by-project.
Common reasons applications fail
Out-of-scope tech area.
What improves your odds
A specific technical problem you can scope in a paragraph, a defined commercial route, and a willingness to start small.
Typical successful applicant
A UK SME, scale-up or industrial business with a defined capability gap, willingness to co-invest, and operational maturity to work with a research-and-development partner.
Common misconceptions
Catapults are not free consultants and not grant providers. Most engagement is paid or co-funded.
What happens next
Catapult centre scopes engagement.
What comes next
Move from a scoping project to a strategic programme over 6–18 months, and use the relationship to unlock follow-on funding.
Funding context
Often the precursor to a successful Innovate UK collaborative bid. Pairs with KTP, Smart Grants and university partnerships.
Related routes
Industries
Objectives
Regions