# Strategic Innovation Fund Round Five Discovery

**Funder:** Ofgem
**Budget:** Up to £30 million (excl. VAT)
**Consortium:** Required — collaborations only, led by an Ofgem licensed electricity or gas distribution network, transmission operator or National Energy System Operator
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2550/overview/5cbb2d13-74bb-41b1-be19-005376930f80
**Last updated:** 23 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Collaborative discovery phase projects addressing round five challenges of the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund. Lead applicant must be an Ofgem licensed electricity or gas distribution network, transmission operator, or the National Energy System Operator.

## Summary

The Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund Round Five Discovery phase funds collaborative energy innovation projects with up to £30 million available, open only to consortia led by an Ofgem licensed electricity or gas network operator, transmission operator, or the National Energy System Operator. Applications must be led by a licensed network entity but require collaboration with partners, making this a consortium-only call rather than a single-institution grant.

## Who should apply

- Ofgem licensed electricity or gas distribution network operators acting as lead applicant
- Transmission operators or the National Energy System Operator as lead applicant
- Consortium partners collaborating on GB energy network innovation challenges
- Organisations based in or operating within Great Britain

## Tips for applicants

- The lead applicant must hold an Ofgem network licence, organisations without one need to partner into a consortium rather than apply directly.
- Frame the proposal around one of the round five challenge areas explicitly rather than a general innovation pitch.
- Since this is a discovery phase, emphasise early-stage feasibility and problem definition over full-scale delivery plans.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding is available in Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund Round Five Discovery?

Up to £30 million (excluding VAT) is available for this round.

### Who can lead an application to this Ofgem fund?

The lead applicant must be an Ofgem licensed electricity or gas distribution network, a transmission operator, or the National Energy System Operator.

### Can a single organisation apply without a consortium?

No, this call requires a collaboration led by a licensed network entity, solo applications are not eligible.

### Is this fund open to applicants outside Great Britain?

No, eligibility is limited to Great Britain.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/ofgem-strategic-innovation-fund-round-five-discovery-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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