Challenge Fund

New Funding Opportunity

ETZ Ltd is excited to announce the launch of its newly enhanced Supply Chain Challenge Fund. A total of £3m will be available in the financial year 2026-27 to support energy supply chain companies looking to innovate, diversify and accelerate their journey into energy transition and wider green industry sectors.

This new funding builds on ETZ Ltd’s established track record of delivery and impact. Between 2022 and 2026, ETZ Ltd invested more than c£7.5 million supporting over 50 companies in advancing their transition into low carbon and green industries. This activity has enabled businesses to de risk and accelerate capital investment in strengthening their capability to enter, compete, and scale within the energy transition and broader green industry markets. The Challenge Fund supports high-growth potential companies across North East Scotland's energy sector to build resilience, capacity and capability whilst transitioning away from the reliance of oil and gas.

The Challenge Fund will award grant funding between £50k and £500k to accelerate innovation and market entry, support business growth, safeguard and create new jobs and boost productivity. Applications may include late stage innovation relating to technology solutions, new industrial facilities, manufacturing and automation of equipment, R&D test facilities, and existing industry infrastructure upgrades, including digital infrastructure. Applications which progress demand led technology advancements within the above industries and support the local supply chain will be scored favourably.

Consideration will only be given to awards at the upper end of the range if there is a particularly strong funding case.

Although the fund primarily supports SMEs operating within the oil and gas supply chain with ambition to diversify into energy transition and green energy industries across Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, and Moray, larger companies are also encouraged to apply.

The Challenge Fund is administered by ETZ Ltd and supported through the Scottish Government's Just Transition fund.

The application round is now open with a deadline date of Monday 25 May 2026. Please read the FAQs along with the guidance before completing application form.

For any queries, please contact etzchallengefund@etzltd.com. We strongly encourage prospective applicants to engage with us prior to submitting an application.

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