Standards Challenge Fund

The Standards Challenge Fund is open for SME entries

The Standards Challenge Fund is a collaborative initiative between Innovate UK and BSI (British Standards Institution).

The fund invites small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to submit ideas for new standards across three key areas:

• digital and technologies
• net zero
• healthy living and ageing

Selected submissions, subject to due diligence, will form the basis for developing standards that will be funded through this programme.

Who can apply

The Standards Challenge Fund is open to sole traders and SMEs based in the UK, with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than €50 million.

Why should you apply

Potential benefits include:

• agreeing 'what good looks' for an innovative area you want to champion
• boosting your profile by being instrumental in creating a new standard
• contributing your expertise as part of a steering or advisory group
• supporting industry collaboration including with customers and suppliers

This is a new and exciting way for SMEs to be directly involved in, and associated with, the creation of standards that support innovation.

Submit your idea to the Standards Challenge Fund.

The new standards will be developed using BSI's fast-track, consensus-based, processes which include PAS standards and iterative BSI Flex standards, both of which are widely used to support innovation.

First published 16 April 2024