HyDEX recently hosted an online event for energy researchers, featuring the Royce Hydrogen Accelerator (RHA).

The session brought together hydrogen researchers, academics, and industry professionals to explore funding and support opportunities for hydrogen materials research.

The RHA has been established to address critical materials challenges in the hydrogen supply chain, helping bridge the gap between lab-based research and scalable, commercial technologies. By supporting early-stage innovations, the RHA aims to transform promising materials research into investable opportunities that drive the hydrogen economy forward.

The event featured presentations from Adam Robinson and Rachael Keslake from the Royce Hydrogen Accelerator, who provided detailed insights into the various funding and support programmes available. Key opportunities discussed included:

  • Royce Industry Collaboration Programme: Offering up to £120k for translational research involving industry partnerships. Applications are opening in the next month, with successful projects starting in the autumn. This scheme runs annually and is open to all materials areas. More details.
  • Equipment Access Schemes: Providing funded access to advanced research equipment and technical expertise for academics (£10k) and SMEs (£25k). This scheme is open year-round. A list of available facilities can be found here. More details.
  • Conception X Programme: Funding up to ten seats for hydrogen materials researchers on the 2025 cohort, with a deadline for applications set for 2nd February 2025. Participants completing the programme will have the chance to pitch for up to £250k in pre-seed investment.
  • Access for Innovators Scheme: Innovate UK is investing up to £2.25 million in small collaborative innovation projects to support early-stage research.
  • Analysis for Innovators Scheme: Aimed at industry partners with revenue streams focused on innovating existing products or services. The competition closes on March 12th. More details.

The RHA is also collaborating with additional initiatives to assist postdoctoral researchers and principal investigators in developing their technologies into viable investment opportunities.

For general information on the RHA, visit this page. Additionally, a recent blog discussing hydrogen materials challenges can be found here.

The event was particularly valuable for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and PIs working on hydrogen-related technologies, as well as research managers and commercialisation specialists seeking to enhance their universities’ engagement with hydrogen innovation.