Sandpit: Market Access Acceleration in Consumer Led Flexibility

Opportunity status: Open
Funders: Innovate UKNatural Environment Research Council (NERC)Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
Funding type: Other
Total fund: £1,000,000
Award range: £50,000 – £350,000
Publication date: 11 March 2026
Opening date: 11 March 2026 9:00am UK time
Closing date: 26 March 2026 11:59pm UK time

Are you or a designated expert within your organisation interested in participating and shaping the future of the UK’s flexibility market? If so, submit an expression of interest to co-design actionable prototype and minimum viable test products across four challenge areas:

  • multi-market optimisation
  • locational price discovery
  • DNO flexibility incentives
  • flexibility ‘micro-grids’

Projects co-designed at the sandpit on 27 April 2026, in person at a location in London, will be assessed on the day. Successful projects will be eligible to receive funding following the event.

Find out more and apply.

Closing date: 26 March 2026