Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
EPSRC
Funds engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, materials and computer science. The portfolio runs from responsive-mode standard grants through fellowships to Centres for Doctoral Training and large programme grants, and it is the main route for university-led engineering research.
- Kind of funder
- Research council
- Where it funds
- UK-wide
- Indicative award size
- £100k – £10m
- Approx. annual research spend
- £1.2bn
- Who can apply
- Universities, Research institutes
- Career stages
- PhD / doctoral, Postdoctoral, Early career, Established researcher
Standard grants typically £100k–£1.5m; programme grants and CDTs run considerably higher.
Research areas
Named schemes (6)
EPSRC-Defra Reimagining Circularity: full stage ↗
Apply for three years of NetworkPlus funding to build new capacity, strengthen community and enhance research to innovation capabilities focused on the circular economy in data and metrics, or textiles. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding.
Open3 Nov 2026up to £5.4m per award£8.7m total fundpulled from UKRI 2026-09-11Focal award: EPSRC and MHCLG Fire Engineering Skills Hub ↗
Apply for funding for a skills hub to deliver high quality, cohort based doctoral training, and design of high-quality postgraduate level taught programmes in fire engineering. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding.
Open3 Nov 2026£5.9m total fundpulled from UKRI 2026-09-11Centres for Doctoral Training ↗
Cohort-based doctoral training centres funding multiple PhD studentships around a research theme. Competitions run periodically rather than continuously and are institution-led.
UpcomingCheck funder site for current round£3m – £10m per awardchecked 2026-05-01EPSRC standard research grant (responsive mode) ↗
Open, no-deadline route for investigator-led research in engineering and the physical sciences. No upper limit in principle, though most awards land between £100k and £1.5m.
Rolling / recurringCheck funder site for current round£100k+ per awardchecked 2026-05-01New Investigator Award ↗
First grant for academics starting their independent career, with lighter expectations on track record. Open with no fixed closing date.
Rolling / recurringCheck funder site for current round£100k – £500k per awardchecked 2026-05-01Pre-announcement: NMIP sandpit: Digital materials for accelerated innovation ↗
Apply to attend a three to five-day sandpit to develop high-impact projects that address the challenges and opportunities of integrating digital approaches to accelerate the translation of materials research. Attendance at the sandpit does not guarantee UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding.
UpcomingCheck funder site for current roundpulled from UKRI 2026-09-11