Digital solutions for energy transition and manufacturing

This innovation call pairs up challenge holders from the energy and manufacturing industries with a digital company to work together on a proof of value project. Up to £50,000 funding is available to your digital company to create a solution for one of the challenges.

Our application process has been split into two phases:

Phase one

• In phase one we identified companies from across the energy and manufacturing industries with existing challenges across the areas of data sharing, asset tracking, or ESG and sustainability compliance.

Phase two

• When phase two opens, we’ll be looking for digital companies that can provide a solution to the challenges presented by the phase one companies.

Individual companies from both phases will be paired up and will work together over a three to six month proof of value project.

This innovation call was created in collaboration with the Net Zero Technology Centre, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, and the Digital Trust Taskforce.

When phase two opens, we’ll run a webinar to share more details about the call. 

You can watch the recording of our previous webinar for phase one companies to learn more about this funding call and how you can get involved.

Watch our webinaropens in a new window 

Your digital company must be a small or medium-sized enterprise. 

To be eligible, your business must:   

• Be registered, trading, or have a strategic presence in Scotland
• Be able to support the delivery of a pilot during quarters two, three, and four of 2025, either in kind or with financial resource

You must also be committed to fair working practices. This means work must offer all individuals an effective voice, opportunity, security, fulfilment, and respect. It also includes paying employees at least the real Living Wage. 

You can find out more about fair working practices and access free resources using the Fair Work Employer Support Toolopens in a new window.

Our energy and manufacturing companies are currently refining their challenges ready to share when phase two launches.

Phase two will open for applications in late June 2025.

Successful companies will be expected to work on their projects between September 2025 and March 2026.

All projects must be completed, including evaluations, by 31 March 2026.

There's up to £50,000 available to each project.

This is in line with the UK subsidy control rules on Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA), as these will apply when funding is awarded to you.

You'll be asked to provide details of any other recent funding received as minimal financial assistance or as de minimis.

In line with UK subsidy control rules, we can't award you any grant that would cause you to exceed your minimal financial assistance allowance of £315,000 (or your de minimis threshold, if applicable). This relates to the period covering the current and previous two financial years.

You must also not have started the project, or committed to any project costs, before a grant funding contract is signed.

Only the digital companies identified in phase two can apply for funding. The amount you receive will depend on the solution your company provides.

Learn more about Minimum Financial Assistance for companies 

This grant can cover up to 100% of your eligible project costs. Eligible costs include:

• Employee wages 
• Contractors 
• Consultants 
• Supplies and materials 
• Travel costs

For more details, you can check our guidance on eligible project costs.

Projects must be completed in full by 31 March 2026, and all costs should be paid for by that date. 

We're looking for digital companies that can provide a solution to the challenges presented by energy and manufacturing companies. 

The digital companies will work with an assigned phase one company during the project to conduct assessments based on:

• Design
• Technical feasibility
• Financial feasibility

These assessments will help inform the creation of products and services that can provide a solution to the challenge presented.

Your application must include, but doesn't need to be limited to, a blockchain-based solution.