---
title: "Innovation Academic Framework"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-061465"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-061465"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-061465.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-061465.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION PLC"
published: "2026-02-26"
---

# Innovation Academic Framework

Buyer: NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION PLC  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-061465

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-061465)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-061465.json)

## Summary

National Grid Electricity Transmission PLC is advancing its Innovation Academic Framework to foster collaboration with universities, supporting the delivery of its innovation strategy from April 2026 to March 2031. This initiative falls under the services category, focusing primarily on Research & Development (R&D) projects within Technology Readiness Levels 2 to 8. The framework aims to contribute to transitioning the energy system, achieving Clean Power 2030, and reaching net zero by 2050, while also addressing vulnerable consumer support. The procurement process was conducted using a selective competitive flexible procedure, with the procurement stage now at the award phase as of February 26, 2026. Contract awards to various university partners are pending, with a standstill period ending on March 10, 2026, and the contract period extending until March 2031, with possible renewals up to March 2033.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for universities involved in research and development, particularly those specialising in energy, technology, and innovation. University partners are expected to contribute resources and technical expertise, fostering collaborative growth through strategic development and knowledge sharing. The awarded universities will play a pivotal role in executing projects that enhance consumer value and drive decarbonisation efforts. Large research-focused institutions, especially those capable of undertaking experimental development and associated consultancy services, are well-suited to compete, contributing to a safe and reliable electricity network and promoting an innovation-driven culture across the energy sector.

## Notice

National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) is seeking collaboration with universities to support delivery of its innovation strategy over the next five years (April 2026 - Mar 2031). The primary objectives during this period include facilitating the energy system transition (including Clean Power 2030 and net zero 2050) and providing support for vulnerable consumers. University partners will be expected to contribute both resources and technical expertise to the development and execution of Research & Development (R&D)projects. We expect universities to run projects within Technology Readiness Levels 2 to 8 which includes research, development and demonstration projects. These initiatives will enable NGET to ensure a safe and reliable electricity network, enhance consumer value, achieve decarbonisation of future networks, and create a positive impact on society. NGET will invite universities to propose new projects that address specific needs, while also encouraging the generation of innovative project ideas. In addition to individual innovation projects, partners will play a crucial role in fostering innovation through strategic development, knowledge sharing and promoting an innovation-driven culture. Knowledge sharing may include supporting NGET in running dissemination events across the energy sector and other industries to communicate the outputs, learnings and benefits from projects, as well as using these events to learn from others

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Up to 2 years of extensions if required.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017614-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 26 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 12 Feb 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 26 Feb 2026 |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2031 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £70,000,000 |
| Lots value | £70,000,000 |
| Awards value | £70,000,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION PLC |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | Central London |
| Postcode | WC2N 5EH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 10 |
| Supplier names | CARDIFF UNIVERSITY; SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY; THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM; THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH; THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER; UNIVERSITY OF BATH (THE; UNIVERSITY OF EXETER; UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL; UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE; UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73111000 - Research laboratory services
- 73120000 - Experimental development services
- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
- 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

## Release History

- 26 Feb 2026 at 18:40 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017614-2026
- 2 Feb 2026 at 14:49 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009035-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017614-2026
  26th February 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009035-2026
  2nd February 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://bath.ac.uk
- http://www.birmingham.ac.uk
- http://www.cardiff.ac.uk
- http://www.exeter.ac.uk
- http://www.liverpool.ac.uk
- http://www.strath.ac.uk
- https://warwick.ac.uk/
- https://www.epcc.ed.ac.uk/
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/api/1.0/ocdsReleasePackages/ocds-h6vhtk-050b32
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.manchester.ac.uk/
- https://www.southampton.ac.uk/

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-061465. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-061465.json.