The successful scale‑up of sustainable bioenergy in the UK depends not only on technological advances but also on the clarity, consistency, and transparency of the policy and regulatory frameworks that govern the sector. As the UK moves towards net‑zero, there is increasing recognition of the need for clearer definitions, better visibility of deployment barriers, and practical, solution‑oriented approaches that address real-world problems and can help industry, policymakers, and stakeholders navigate the complexity of bioenergy systems. This includes identifying policy misalignments, regulatory uncertainties, infrastructure constraints, market obstacles, and social or organisational factors that hinder progress. Projects that examine these issues – by providing evidence, frameworks, and pathways that illuminate barriers and propose actionable solutions – are considered within the scope of this call. We particularly welcome work that connects engineering, biological sciences, economics, social sciences, and policy analysis to inform a more coherent enabling environment for sustainable bioenergy deployment.
The enabling environment for sustainable biomass deployment can be envisaged as a triangulation between market factors, societal acceptability, and the authorising environment. Market incentives and investment signals shape which biomass pathways become viable, but these operate within socio‑political conditions that determine who benefits and whose interests are prioritised. As highlighted by , biomass deployment is strongly influenced by public perceptions of fairness, legitimacy, and the distribution of benefits, with concerns that current policies favour incumbent energy producers and keep benefits ‘behind the scenes’. Societal acceptance of biomass deployment is therefore dynamic and tied to visible, local value creation and transparent communication. The authorising environment – spanning policy, regulation, and cross‑government alignment – remains fragmented, with siloed departmental remits and inconsistent sustainability criteria creating barriers to coherent system design. Understanding and addressing the interactions between these three dimensions is essential for creating a credible, socially legitimate, and deployable biomass strategy.
Key information
Up to £50,000* is available per project for UK academic institutions eligible for UKRI funding.
Projects are expected to demonstrate additional funding leverage of £50,000 (cash or in‑kind).
This call supports solution‑oriented, interdisciplinary projects that address the policy, regulatory, market, and societal barriers to sustainable bioenergy and bio-based product deployment in the UK.
Proposals should generate clear evidence, frameworks, or tools that support industry, policymakers, regulators, and local decision‑makers.
We anticipate funding up to 6 projects, subject to quality and strategic alignment.
*Projects can request up to £50,000 funding at 100% FEC for one project based at one UK research organisation. Payment of 80% (up to max £40,000) of the FEC costs will be made, as is normal in UKRI-funded research.
Application deadline: Sunday 28 June 2026, 23:59 BST
For more information and to apply visit https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/flexible-funding-call-enabling-environment-for-sustainable-bioenergy/
