Call for Research Proposals: UltraStore Iron-Air Batteries for Low-cost Long-Duration Storage
Introduction
The Faraday Institution’s Transformational Challenges target energy storage application challenges that have extraordinary impact potential, and where there are currently only conceptional solutions or ideas at the very earliest stages of research and development.
The UltraStore Transformational Challenge is targeting development of ultra-low cost long duration energy storage solutions.
In 2025 a co-creation and planning phase of this programme identified several candidate battery chemistries that have the potential to satisfy the Challenge’s cost and performance requirements and that warrant further R&D. Research Sprints are currently underway on the UltraStore aluminium programme following a call for proposals earlier in 2026.
The Faraday Institution is now inviting researchers to apply to work on its second candidate battery chemistry via the UltraStore iron-air programme, a group of parallel 18-month projects that aim to develop an iron-air battery capable of meeting the UltraStore programme’s objectives. If successful, this work could lead to a breakthrough technology addressing TWh-scale markets.
Funding available
Initial funding of approximately £1.4 million will be available across up to five 18-month Research Sprints, each funded at up to £280,000. The Research Sprints will run from 1 January 2027 to 30 June 2028. Subject to satisfactory progress during the first 12–18 months, the Faraday Institution intends to make additional funding available from June 2028 for further related research projects.
The Faraday Institution’s UltraStore Challenge is funded by the Battery Innovation Programme, through the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and delivered by Innovate UK. UltraStore is aligned with UKRI’s ULDES Challenge.
How to apply
Submit applications via the Flexigrant portal selecting the UltraStore Iron-Air programme by 5pm, 5th October 2026.
Research areas
This call for proposals focuses on developing a single cell prototype of an iron-air electrochemical energy storage system with decoupled power and energy, targeting a discharge duration of 100 hours. It may be particularly relevant for (but not limited to) researchers with expertise in:
• Metal-air batteries
• Redox-flow stacks
• Alkaline fuel cells
• Aqueous electrolyte design
• Iron metal as an anode
• Fluid dynamics of multi-phase flow
• Aqueous battery chemistries
• Suppression of oxygen evolution
• Oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction cathode and catalyst development
Projects should apply this expertise to address the fundamental issues associated with iron-air batteries.
Expected key dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Funding competition launch | 25 August 2026 |
| Online briefing and Q&A | 16 September 2026 (1.30-2.30pm) |
| Deadline for applications | 5pm, 5 October 2026 |
| Successful applicants notified | November 2026 |
| Grant start date | From 1 January 2027 |
Dates may be amended
Online briefing and Q&A
Register for the online briefing and Q&A 16th September 2026 at 1.30-2.30pm to find out more.
Call Document
Download the call document.
Download the Q&A document.
Questions?
The UltraStore programme management team can be contacted at [email protected] or 01235 425300.