The Role of Technology Readiness Levels in Securing Grant Funding
What are technology readiness levels (TRLs)? Originally developed by NASA, technology readiness levels (TRLs) provide a clear and structured framework to assess the maturity of emerging technologies. TRLs are widely used across industries to help organisations evaluate how close a technology is to being market ready, offering a standardised framework to communicate progress, align stakeholders, and identify the right funding opportunity.
In this article, Ryan’s expert research and development (R&D) grant consultants explain how TRLs are used in UK innovation funding, offering a clear explanation of each level and its relevance to securing grants and driving growth.
How Technology Readiness Levels Impact Grant Funding
Innovation funders—including Innovate UK, Horizon Europe, and other funding bodies—often use TRLs to assess whether a project is ready for funding. Early-stage projects may not meet eligibility criteria, while those at later stages may be better suited for commercial investment. Accurately identifying your project’s TRL helps ensure you apply for the right funding stream and improves your chances of success.
R&D grant funds are generally divided into three categories defined by the technology readiness levels:
- TRL 1–3 = Fundamental Research or Feasibility Study
- TRL 4–6 = Industrial Research
- TRL 7–9 = Experimental Development
As a novel technology progresses from TRL 1 to TRL 9, the risk associated with successful commercialisation decreases—and so does the intervention rate, which refers to the percentage of eligible project costs covered by the funder versus how much the applicant must contribute themselves.
Importantly, intervention rates are also inversely linked to the company size—larger organisations generally receive a lower percentage of funding support compared to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
For example:
- Feasibility Study and Industrial Research: Typically 50 to 70%, funding high-risk, high-reward projects
- Experimental Development: Typically 25 to 45%, reflecting the lower risk and higher commercial viability
Understanding where your project sits on the TRL scale—and how that aligns with your organisation type—can help you target the most appropriate funding opportunities and set realistic expectations for financial support.
The Nine TRL Stages Explained
Understanding each TRL stage can help you to position your innovation effectively.
TRL 1: Basic Principle Observed and Reported
TRL 1 is the origin of technology creation. Scientific research commences to underpin basic concepts and properties that will then be translated into future research and development.
TRL 2: Technology Concept Formulated
Technology at this stage of the scale is speculative, as there is no experimental proof or detailed analysis available to support the conclusion of the initial research findings. However, the basic properties have been defined, and practical applications can be applied to scientific research.
TRL 3: Experimental Proof of Concept
Analytical and laboratory studies should take place in TRL 3. This level determines whether the technology is feasible and ready to progress into the development stage. From the evidence collated in the studies, a proof-of-concept model is usually constructed, which verifies that the technology has practical potential.
TRL 4: Technology Validated in a Lab
Once the proof-of-concept technology is confirmed, multiple components can be tested with each other. The testing of multiple components helps to critically test environments to define performance predictions in the final operating environment.
TRL 5: Technology Validated in a Relevant Environment
As a continuation of TRL 4 at this stage, the technology is usually identified as a breadboard technology. The breadboard technology should undergo more rigorous testing in environments as close to reality as possible. Once this is complete, the technology can advance to TRL 6.
TRL 6: Technology Demonstrated in a Relevant Environment
A fully functional prototype of the technology should be developed. This prototype should be operated in a relevant environment to demonstrate full-scale realistic issues.
TRL 7: System Prototype Demonstration in an Operational Environment
The working model or prototype should be operated in the actual operational environment or platform to demonstrate performance.
TRL 8: System Complete and Qualified
The final product has been successfully tested and is now “flight qualified” for its intended operational environment. This technology is now ready to be integrated into a pre-existing technology or technology system.
TRL 9: Actual Technology Proven in an Operational Environment
The final product has operated successfully in the environment for its intended use and is now a TRL 9 technology.
Using TRLs to Strengthen Your Grant Application
When applying for grant funding, clearly stating your TRL can demonstrate strategic planning and technical understanding. Funders want to see that your project has a clear development pathway. Align your milestones with TRL progression and show how each stage will be achieved. This helps build confidence in your proposal and shows readiness for investment.
Working with experienced grant consultants like Ryan will ensure your project is defined as being at the correct TRL and will maximise the intervention rate awarded by the funder.
Successfully Secure Grant Funding
At Ryan, our innovation funding experts know where to find suitable R&D funding opportunities, how to craft winning applications, and how to maximise the impact of awarded funding. With deep sector expertise and the ability to upskill rapidly in emerging technologies, we’ve helped startups and global enterprises alike secure funding across every major industry, unlocking upwards of £250 million in grant funding.
A short conversation with one of our experts could be the first step toward securing the funding you need to bring your innovation project to life.