Regulators' Pioneer Fund
Supports regulatory agencies and public bodies in piloting new approaches to regulation that accelerate responsible technology deployment in the United Kingdom.
The Regulators' Pioneer Fund supports UK regulatory bodies, local authorities, and combined authorities in piloting innovative approaches to regulation that enable business investment and emerging technologies. Awards of £50K–1M per project, with projects lasting 6–12 months. Total pool is approximately £5.5M per round. DSIT-direct via the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO). Priority areas include drones, autonomous vehicles, engineering biology, space, AI/digital healthcare, and economic growth. Round 4 closed 31 July 2025; current R4 projects run to September 2026. Round 5 is anticipated in the 2026/2027 fiscal cycle but not yet announced as of the fetch date. This is a between-cycles programme; no active grant window is currently open.
Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.