Funding Programmes

How our funding can support your business


Through our Strength in Places Programmes we aim to provide a variety of funding schemes to support the machinery community and create impact within the sector.

Innovation for Machinery (I4M)


I4M helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester develop and adopt advanced machinery, and improve manufacturing processes.

This funded programme gives businesses access to specialist expertise from regional universities and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).

By removing barriers to innovation, I4M enables SMEs to develop, and integrate, cutting-edge technology and boost productivity.

With expert support at no charge, businesses can bring new ideas to market faster, strengthening competitiveness and driving growth in UK manufacturing.

Key information:

Are you eligible for funding?


Projects must:

  • Focus on delivering advancements in machinery for manufacturing.
  • Have a total funding request of no more than £50,000.
  • Start by Monday 6th April 2026, and last a maximum of 6 months
  • Carry out project work within the Greater Manchester or West Yorkshire regions (see postcode list in I4M Information Pack)
  • Intend to exploit the results from or in the UK
  • End by Friday 8th October 2026

If have any questions, or need further information, please contact the AMPI team: AMPI.SIPF@npl.co.uk.

Apply for I4M now

 

This scheme is managed by NPL on behalf of AMPI and is government funding provided through UK Research and Innovation’s flagship Strength in Places Fund.

    Get in touch with us

    AMPI is an industry led initiative. We’d like to hear from UK companies to provide:

    Foresighting. We need to hear what machinery manufacturing challenges need addressing and how companies want to engage.

    Technical Assistance. If you have a technical challenge that you need help to resolve, then we’re available to support.

    Future funding. We welcome UK based firms as we continually build our portfolio of innovation and advanced machinery R&D.