Green Heat Hub Grand Challenge – now closed

About the challenge

We’re delivering the Green Heat Hub Grand Challenge in partnership with Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise.

It's designed to encourage innovative project proposals from those at the centre of heat pump, energy efficiency, and heat network manufacturing.

The challenge will:

• Enable collaboration between experts in industry, academia, and the third sector, to drive leadership in our transition to green heat
• Encourage collaborative parties to come up with project proposals for the Green Heat Hub
• Ensure that above-mentioned experts are at the core of the hub’s development and ongoing operational management

Challenge objectives

Along with providing a focal point for those involved in green heat manufacturing and the supply chain companies, the Green Heat Hub will:

• Demonstrate Scotland's ability to provide a ready-made support system for the growth of heat pump and supply chain businesses
• Encourage collaboration between those involved: companies, potential customers, and newcomers to the industry
• Anchor the companies in Scotland by supporting their growth and reflecting market growth requirements across Europe
• Act as a window to green heat solutions of the future, providing up-to-the-minute intelligence on market and industry requirements 
• Provide an early opportunity to address any challenges to the growing industry
• Establish industry leadership in green heat solutions through company investment
• Work with existing hubs to provide further growth support in the industry 

Following the completion of the Grand Challenge, Scottish Enterprise will work with public sector partners to review viability and next steps.

For full details, download the Green Heat Hub Grand Challenge guidance document (PDF, 246kB)

Am I eligible?

Applicants from industry, academia and third sector can apply as part of a consortium, however the lead applicant must be based in Scotland and have a Scottish registration address.

Consortiums with both industry and academic representation can apply. More than one company or academic can be included in each, but they can't be involved in multiple proposals. 

If you'd like to share your information with other organisations looking to create a consortium, download and complete a consortium partnership interest form.

Download the consortium partnership interest form 

How much grant support is available?

Each successful consortium will be awarded a grant of up to £75,000 to help towards the completion of the project proposal. This will be paid in arrears to the lead applicant in Stage 2 of the process.

How long does it take?

There's a two-stage application process. 

Stage 1:

• Your consortium submits a short pre-proposal application
• Applications are assessed and if successful, you'll be invited to Stage 2 to develop a full project proposal
• You'll have eight weeks to complete the pre-proposal.

Stage 2:

• You'll be awarded up to £75,000 in grant support to cover eligible project costs
• You'll have sixteen weeks to complete project proposal

Proposals at both stages will be scored by Scottish Enterprise and stakeholders against published scoring criteria. 

Important information

The opening date of this challenge is 22 September. Your pre-proposal application must be completed and returned by 18 November.

A full guidance document is available to consider before you apply. This includes:

• Background information
• Important dates
• Scoring criteria
• Funding
• Terms and conditions

Download the Green Heat Hub Grand Challenge guidance document (PDF, 246kB)

How to apply