UKRI-5671-Evaluation Materials Innovation Programme

Overview

For the spending review period (FY 26/27 to FY 29/30) £66 million has been allocated to the DSIT-led National Materials Innovation programme (hereafter referred to as NMIP or the Programme). UKRI is delivering £59m of the overall programme through the UKRI Materials Innovation Programme (hereafter referred to as UKRI MIP), with DSIT directly delivering the remaining £7m. The Programme aims to tackle fragmentation across disciplines and sectors, accelerating the domestic translation of critical material innovations into applications which are vital for the future of Advanced Manufacturing, while also underscoring Energy, Digital Technologies, Defence and Life Sciences Industries. Pioneering a national approach to the sector, the programme will establish networks to bring together stakeholders, streamline infrastructure access, and unlock maximal value from existing investments. The programme will tackle materials-specific commercialisation challenges through new initiatives such as targeted programmes of interventions, digital tools, and verification services. Additional activities will address market gaps in strategic materials, strengthening the UK’s sovereign capabilities to mitigate security risks and capitalise on economic opportunities. Without this focus, key innovations risk stalling before reaching the application areas that underpin the UK’s national priorities, drive technological progress, and grow the economy. The programme is expected to deliver benefits across UK priorities with Advanced Materials highlighted in the Industrial Strategy1 as one of six frontier industries and materials underpinning other technological advances such as metamaterials for 6G communication or enhanced data centre efficiency.