SBRI — the UK's Small Business Research Initiative, Reviewed and Relaunched Twice

SBRI launched in 2001 following interest in the US SBIR model, was overhauled in 2008-2009 under the newly formed Technology Strategy Board, and is now delivered by Innovate UK (rebranded 'Contracts for Innovation') on behalf of bodies including the NHS, Ministry of Defence and DEFRA, through 100%-funded Phase 1 feasibility and Phase 2 prototype contracts.

Since inception the programme has awarded over GBP500 million in R&D contracts. SMEs make up ~70% of applicants and ~60% of awarded value. A 2017 Manchester Institute evaluation found every GBP1 of SBRI funding produced at least GBP2.4 of UK economic benefit; the NHS's SBRI Healthcare sub-programme separately reports GBP1.2-1.8 billion in cumulative healthcare cost savings.

A 2015 review commissioned by 10 Downing Street found funding had fallen to GBP63 million (a 25% year-on-year drop) and ~85% of contracts were below the minimum size needed for meaningful benefit, with most departments giving the programme only lip service; the 2017 evaluation that found the GBP2.4-per-GBP1 benefit also concluded SBRI 'has not been as effective as expected' at commercialisation, and a 2022 UKRI evaluation again called for more systematic programme management.