FOI2025/01061: Innovate UK Similarity analysis process
Case reference FOI2025/01061
Received 26 November 2025
Published 20 February 2026
Request
Request received: 26 November 2025
We're aware that in a recent competition a similarity analysis was performed comparing the submission to previous applications.
Under FOI please can you provide more details of the similarity analysis process:
1. Details of the method used
2. Whether the approach applies to all previous applications or only successful applications
3. How resubmissions are treated
4. Whether this similarity check will be used on all future grants competitions
Response
Response sent: 22 December 2025
I can confirm that UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) does hold information relevant to your request. Please see the information below.
1. Details of the method used
Innovate UK’s competitions team uses an external match analysis tool (Cobalt) that can identify projects that have matching content across our database of application content. Further information on this process is provided at Annex 1 of this letter.
2. Whether the approach applies to all previous applications or only successful applications
The approach applies to all applications that are assessed.
3. How resubmissions are treated
If the report flags a similarity this will be reviewed as required.
4. Whether this similarity check will be used on all future grants competitions
The similarity check is currently conducted on all competitions.
Documents
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