The Faraday Institution

Charity Number: 1176500

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Part of £1.1 billion Battery Innovation Programme (2017-2030)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Quarterly reviews for Industry Sprints, rolling for some programmes
  • 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
  • Industry Fellowships: Sylwia Walus

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 wider £1.1 billion Battery Innovation Programme (2017-2030). The Institution unites over 500 researchers across 25+ UK universities with 147 industry partners, making it a central pillar of the UK's strategy to become a global leader in battery technology. Recent leadership changes include Professor Martin Freer joining as CEO in September 2024, bringing extensive experience from directing the Birmingham Energy Institute.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Industry Sprints: £50,000 - £250,000+ (quarterly reviews; 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 (joined September 2024) - Former Director of Birmingham Energy Institute, nuclear physicist with extensive energy research experience
  • Chief Scientist: Sir Peter Bruce
  • Research Programme Director: James Gaade
  • Commercialisation Director: Nick Smailes

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 emphasizes that “The Faraday Institution 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.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Industry Sprints: Online application portal, quarterly assessment panels
  • Industry Fellowships: Joint applications by April 1st and October 1st; single applications rolling
  • 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: Quarterly reviews (submissions before July 31st and January 31st deadlines)
  • 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”
  • Former CEO Pam Thomas stated: “The Faraday Institution remains steadfast in its commitment to identify and invest in battery research initiatives that hold the greatest potential for making significant societal, environmental, and commercial contributions”

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
  • 3D-CAT project: Accelerating cathode material development
  • NEXGENNA: Sodium-ion battery research for emerging economies

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

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