The United Kingdom has launched a new £7 million funding round to accelerate clean energy innovation across Africa, Asia and Latin America, signalling a renewed push to link climate ambition with development outcomes.
The Energy Catalyst Round 11 programme supports commercially viable energy solutions that expand access, reduce emissions and strengthen local economies in ODA-eligible countries.
With applications open until March 25, 2026, the initiative targets innovators ready to proceed from pilot to scale in underserved markets.
Application Links
Early stage: Energy catalyst round 11 – early stage
Mid-stage: Energy catalyst round 11 – mid stage
Late stage: Energy catalyst round 11 – late stage
Funding Push Signals Global Energy Reset
The UK has opened a new £7 million funding window aimed at accelerating the clean energy transition across some of the world's most energy-constrained regions, as governments seek scalable solutions that cut emissions while expanding access.
Announced under the Energy Catalyst Round 11 programme, the initiative will support innovations deployed in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Indo-Pacific and Latin America, marking a notable geographic expansion of the scheme.
The funding is delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and targets businesses developing commercially viable clean energy technologies for developing markets.
The announcement comes as climate shocks, energy insecurity and rising demand expose the limits of grid-centric transition strategies in emerging economies.
Why Catalytic Capital Matters Now
Energy Catalyst Round 11 is structured to support companies at different stages of maturity, from early-stage feasibility to late-stage commercial scale-up, with grant funding designed to de-risk innovation in markets where private capital remains scarce.
Since its launch in 2014, the Energy Catalyst programme has supported over 300 projects across 40 countries, helping technologies move from concept to deployment in areas such as off-grid solar, clean cooking, storage, green hydrogen and resilient mini-grids.
What distinguishes the programme is its focus on energy access as economic infrastructure; power not just for households, but for clinics, schools, -processing and small businesses.
In many African and South Asian contexts, unreliable electricity remains a binding constraint on productivity, healthcare delivery and job creation.
Energy Catalyst Round 11 – Key Parameters
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total funding available | Up to £7 million |
| Eligible regions | Africa, South Asia, Indo-Pacific, Latin America |
| Project stages | Early, Mid, Late |
| Application deadline | 25 March 2026 |
| Core focus | Clean, affordable, scalable energy access |
What the Programme Is Backing
The funding round prioritises projects that demonstrate both development impact and commercial credibility. Applicants must show how their solutions can deliver affordable energy, reduce emissions and scale sustainably in ODA-eligible countries.
Crucially, UK-registered applicants are expected to work in partnership with local organisations, embedding market knowledge and long-term ownership into project design.
The inclusion of Latin America in Round 11 reflects growing recognition that energy access and climate-resilience challenges extend beyond traditional focus regions.
Funding Bands by Project Stage
| Stage | Grant Range | Typical Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Early | £50k – £300k | Feasibility, proof-of-concept |
| Mid | £50k – £1.5m | Pilots, product refinement |
| Late | £50k – £5m | Demonstration, scale-up |
The structure mirrors a broader shift in climate finance toward blended, patient capital using public funds to unlock private investment rather than substitute for it.
What Innovators Must Do
For clean-energy developers, the message is clear: solutions must be technically sound, commercially realistic and socially inclusive. Applications are expected to demonstrate gender sensitivity, affordability and alignment with local regulatory and market conditions.
Successful projects will also benefit from UKRI's broader innovation ecosystem, including technical support and investor engagement, a critical advantage in moving beyond pilot-stage stagnation.
Path Forward – Scaling Clean Energy Where It Matters
Energy Catalyst Round 11 reinforces a simple but powerful idea: climate solutions must work for the communities that need them most.
By targeting scalable, market-ready innovations, the programme aims to bridge the gap between climate ambition and the realities of energy utilisation.
If successful, the funding round could help shift clean energy from demonstration projects to durable infrastructure, powering growth, resilience and opportunity across the Global South.
Culled From: https://energycatalyst.ukri.org/news/new-catalytic-funding-launched-to-accelerate-clean-energy-transition/
