The Faraday Institution

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £452 million Battery Innovation Programme (2026-2030)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Approximately 12 weeks (varies by programme)
• Grant Range: £50,000 - £250,000+ (varies by programme)
• Geographic Focus: UK national

Contact Details

Website: www.faraday.ac.uk

Phone: 01235 425300

Email: finance@faraday.ac.uk

Address: Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0RA, UK

Charity Number: 1176500

Programme Contacts:

• Industry Sprints: Ian Ellerington (Head of Technology Transfer)
• Industry Fellowships: Sylwia Walus (Research Project Manager)

Overview

The Faraday Institution was established in 2017 as the UK's independent institute for electrochemical energy storage research, skills development, market analysis, and early-stage commercialisation. Headquartered at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, it represents an investment of over £190 million as part of the Faraday Battery Challenge (2017-2025). The Institution unites over 500 researchers across 27 UK universities with 148 UK and 30 international industry partners, making it a central pillar of the UK's strategy to become a global leader in battery technology. The Institution is now the delivery partner for the Battery Innovation Programme (2026-2030), which has £452 million in government investment. Professor Martin Freer joined as CEO, bringing extensive experience from directing the Birmingham Energy Institute.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

• Industry Sprints: £50,000 - £250,000+ (quarterly assessment; industry contributions expected)
• Industry Fellowships: Rolling applications for single candidates, twice-yearly for joint applications
• PhD Enrichment Scheme: Open to first-year PhD researchers in energy storage fields
• Major Research Projects: Recent £19 million investment across four battery research areas

Priority Areas

• Lithium-ion and beyond lithium-ion technologies
• Next-generation cathode materials
• Electrode manufacturing and sustainable production methods
• Sodium-ion batteries
• Battery degradation, safety, recycling and reuse
• Solid-state batteries
• Application-inspired research with commercial potential

What They Don't Fund

• Research without clear UK commercial application potential
• Projects lacking industry engagement or commercialisation pathway
• Non-battery energy storage technologies outside their core remit

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Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

• CEO: Professor Martin Freer - Former Director of Birmingham Energy Institute, nuclear physicist with extensive energy research experience
• Chief Scientist: Sir Peter Bruce
• Research Programme Director: James Gaade
• Head of Commercialisation: Nick Smailes
• Head of Technology Transfer: Ian Ellerington

Board Structure: Independent Board of Trustees with Chair Professor Sir Steven Cowley (theoretical physicist and fusion energy expert), plus Expert Panel combining eminent battery experts from academia and industry.

Key Leadership Quote: Professor Martin Freer emphasises that “The Faraday Institution is, and needs to continue to be, cognisant of the real-world challenges in energy storage commercialisation, and set its research directions accordingly” through deepening dialogues and closer alignment with UK industry partners.

How to Apply to The Faraday Institution

How to Apply

• Industry Sprints: Online application portal with assessment panels meeting at least twice per year
• Industry Fellowships: Joint applications assessed twice yearly (typically April and October); single applications on rolling basis
• PhD Enrichment: Online application with mandatory supervisor support letter and 3-minute video
• Applications assessed on: commercialisation potential, Faraday Institution mission alignment, work quality/clarity, project management, impact, and value for money

Decision Timeline

• Industry Sprints: Typical assessment cycle approximately 12 weeks from submission deadline
• Industry Fellowships: Panel decisions twice yearly for joint applications, ongoing for single applications
• Applicants may be invited to discuss applications with panel members

Success Rates

Success rates not publicly disclosed. The Institution notes that “The amount of funding offered may be different to the amount requested” and endeavours to provide feedback to unsuccessful applications.

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions mentioned. The Institution encourages early contact with programme directors to discuss suitability before formal applications.

Application Success Factors

Direct Guidance from the Institution:

• “Applications are judged on: commercialisation potential and likelihood of success; alignment with the Faraday Institution mission; quality and clarity of the proposed work; project management and governance arrangements; commercial, societal and academic impact; and value for money”

Successful Project Characteristics:

• Strong industry partnerships with cash and in-kind contributions expected
• Clear commercialisation pathway and defined endpoints useful to UK industry
• Exceptional clarity in presentation and robust project management
• Focus on sustainable manufacturing methods and materials
• International collaboration potential (particularly US-UK partnerships)

Recent Funding Examples:

• FAST project: Battery formation, ageing, and testing for manufacturing efficiency
• 3D-CAT project: Novel lithium-rich 3D cathode materials development
• NEXGENNA: Sodium-ion battery research for emerging economies
• Nextrode: Electrode manufacturing innovation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Industry engagement is essential: Expect to demonstrate industry contributions and commercial pathways
• Mission alignment critical: Research must clearly advance UK battery capabilities and economic impact
• Contact early: Programme directors welcome pre-application discussions to assess fit
• Demonstrate clarity: Applications are specifically assessed on “quality and clarity of proposed work”
• Think commercially: Commercialisation potential is a primary evaluation criterion
• Build partnerships: The Institution facilitates connections between suitable academic and industry partners
• Focus on impact: Social, environmental, and commercial impact all matter in assessment

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Frances And Augustus Newman Foundation
• The Leverhulme Trust
• The British Academy For The Promotion Of Historical Philosophical And Philological Studies
• The Nuffield Foundation
• Mcs Charitable Foundation
• Alzheimer's Research Uk
• Prostate Cancer Uk
• Motability Foundation
• Perry Foundation
• Action Medical Research

References

• Faraday Institution website: https://www.faraday.ac.uk
• Faraday Institution Annual Report 2023-2024: https://www.faraday.ac.uk/2023-24-annual-report/
• Charity Commission register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5111942
• UKRI Faraday Battery Challenge: https://www.ukri.org/what-we-do/browse-our-areas-of-investment-and-support/faraday-battery-challenge/
• “£19 Million Committed to Battery Research” press release: https://www.faraday.ac.uk/four-projects-reshaping/
• Interview with Martin Freer, CEO: https://www.faraday.ac.uk/an-interview-with-martin-freer-ceo/
• Application Process guidance: https://www.faraday.ac.uk/opportunities/industry-sprints/application-process/
• Battery Innovation Programme: https://www.faraday.ac.uk/battery-innovation-programme/