Digital Science Catalyst Grant 2026: Up to £25,000 for Research Innovation – Apply by October 5. The global grant supports early-stage individuals, startups, and research teams developing innovative technology for the research ecosystem.
Background & Grant Description
The Digital Science Catalyst Grant 2026 is a global funding opportunity supporting early-stage ideas that use technology to advance research and create meaningful societal impact.
The 2026 theme is “Agentic Workflows You Can Trust.” Digital Science is looking for innovative tools and technologies that can plan, execute, and review multiple research-related tasks while incorporating provenance, governance, auditability, and accountability.
The grant offers up to £25,000 in equity-free funding, which may be shared among more than one recipient.
What the Grant Supports
Projects may address different areas of the research lifecycle, including:
- Research writing and authorship
- Research discovery and evidence synthesis
- Peer review
- Funding and institutional decision-making
- Research integrity
- Researcher identity and disambiguation
- Citation and publication provenance
- AI-powered research workflows
Applicants can submit an early-stage concept, prototype, or working product. A finished product, revenue or established business is not required.
Qualifications and Eligibility
The 2026 Catalyst Grant is open globally to:
- Individuals
- Startups
- Research teams
- Early-stage technology innovators
Applicants should demonstrate a genuine research-related problem, a credible technological approach, and how their solution can operate as a trustworthy multi-step workflow.
Digital Science encourages applicants to explain their current development stage and provide a prototype or demonstration where available.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a proposal of no more than 1,500 words explaining the problem, proposed workflow, trust and governance approach, team, development stage, competitors, future vision, fit with Digital Science, and proposed budget.
Additional Information
Funding: Up to £25,000
Funding type: Equity-free
Location: Worldwide
Applications opened: September 1, 2026
Deadline: October 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM BST
Theme: Agentic Workflows You Can Trust
Digital Science says judging will take place from October 12 to November 20, 2026, with winners expected to be announced during the week commencing November 30.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should review the official 2026 Catalyst Grant requirements and prepare their proposal according to the required sections.
Official application and grant information:
Digital Science Catalyst Grant 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Digital Science Catalyst Grant 2026?
It is a global grant supporting early-stage technology ideas designed to advance research and its impact on society.
How much funding is available?
The grant offers up to £25,000 in equity-free funding. The award may be divided among multiple recipients.
Who can apply?
Individuals, startups and research teams from around the world can apply with eligible early-stage ideas.
Does my project need to be fully developed?
No. Digital Science states that applications can involve a well-formed concept, prototype, or working product.
When is the application deadline?
Applications close on October 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM BST.
Final Thoughts
The Digital Science Catalyst Grant provides early-stage innovators with an opportunity to develop technology focused on trustworthy AI and research workflows. Applicants should clearly demonstrate the problem they are addressing, their proposed solution, and how trust, governance, and provenance are incorporated.
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