Strategic programme
By SMEs, for SMEs

Standards Challenge Fund (SCF)

Empowering innovators to shape best practices for emerging challenges, from GenAI and DNA barcoding to recycled plastics and RF-powered wearables.

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Shaping standards to enable tomorrow’s markets

In partnership with Innovate UK, the SCF empowers SMEs to influence standards from the start, so they’re practical, relevant, and address their needs.

Best practices help innovative businesses demonstrate quality, manage risk, and build market trust
Standards enable smarter working by creating clarity, consistency, and confidence as businesses grow
SMEs submitted ideas where shared guidance was needed, with four taken forward into development
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Each standard is progressing through a fast-track process designed to boost confidence in innovation
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We invite interested stakeholders to contribute, collaborate, and connect via the Hub
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Stay updated, share your insights, engage in discussions, and connect with the community
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