EPSRC Network Grant: Responsive Mode (November 2023)

Document research last revised 2026-08-12.

Grant Name

EPSRC network grant: Nov 2023: responsive mode

Last Updated

13 October 2025

Fixed Start Date

Awards valued at more than £3 million FEC will have a fixed start date.

Network Location

The network must be based in the UK, but may include collaboration with overseas partners.

International Collaboration Requirement

International collaboration is permitted. A Project Co-Lead (International) may only be used under the UKRI-Research Council of Norway Money Follows Cooperation agreement or the UKRI-IIASA agreement.

International Project Co-Lead

International Project Co-Leads are not otherwise accepted under this opportunity.

Research Category

Interdisciplinary research network development

Research Requirement

Network grants do not fund research itself. Funding is for activities that build and coordinate the research network.

Priority Areas

EPSRC will prioritise interdisciplinary applications and those involving industrial or other users in fields relevant to its remit.

SME Participation

EPSRC particularly encourages involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Eligible Projects

Projects must create a new collaboration and new interdisciplinary research community.

Research Costs

Direct research costs are not funded.

Equipment

Additional equipment such as computers and web servers may be funded. Equipment costing more than £25,000 must be specifically justified in the resources and cost justification.

Equipment Update

The threshold was updated from £10,000 to £25,000 on 1 April 2025.

Third-Party Contributions

Direct and in-kind contributions from third-party project partners are encouraged.

Research Organisation Funding

EPSRC funds 80% FEC of the project through the lead research organisation.

Subcontractors

Not specifically stated

Je-S Eligibility

Applications cannot be submitted through Je-S.

Application Responsibility

The Project Lead is responsible for completing the Funding Service application, with contributions expected from team members and project partners.

Submission Responsibility

Only the lead research organisation can submit the completed application to UKRI.

Application Process

Project Lead completes the application → sends it to the research office for checking → research office returns it if editing is needed → research office submits the checked application to UKRI.

Application Timing

Applications can be submitted when ready. Applicants should not wait for a closing date.

Internal Batching

EPSRC batches applications internally for assessment rather than operating individual closing dates.

Core Team

Roles available include Project Lead, Project Co-Lead (UK), Project Co-Lead (International), Researcher Co-Lead, Specialist, Grant Manager, Professional Enabling Staff, Research and Innovation Associate and Technician.

Project Lead Rule

Only one individual can be listed as Project Lead.

Project Co-Lead Rule

EPSRC normally expects no more than one Project Co-Lead on a network application to assist with network management.

Thematic Area Alignment

Applicants select the EPSRC thematic area that most closely aligns with the application and where the majority of the novelty in the research lies.

EPSRC Themes

Artificial intelligence; digital security and resilience; energy and decarbonisation; engineering; healthcare technologies; ICT; manufacturing; mathematical sciences; physical sciences; quantum technologies.

Vision and Approach

Maximum 6 sides of A4, single-spaced, using 11-point Arial or equivalent sans serif font, with margins of at least 2cm.

Vision and Approach File

Must be submitted as a single PDF no larger than 8MB. A separate one-page A4 diagrammatic work plan may be included.

Vision Requirements

Explain the quality and importance of the work, potential to advance knowledge, timeliness, impact on research/society/economy/environment, and potential beneficiaries.

Approach Requirements

Explain how the network will achieve its objectives, demonstrate feasibility, identify and manage risks, describe methodology where applicable, explain how previous work will be built upon, maximise translation into outcomes/impact, and demonstrate access to required facilities/infrastructure.

Applicant and Team Capability

Maximum 1,500 words. Must demonstrate relevant experience, appropriate skills, leadership/management capability and contribution to a positive research environment/community.

R4RI

The Applicant and Team Capability section uses the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format.

R4RI Modules

Contributions to new ideas/tools/methodologies/knowledge; development of others and effective working relationships; contributions to the wider research and innovation community; contributions to research/innovation users, audiences and wider societal benefit.

Added Value

Maximum 500 words. Must explain what the network will achieve that would not otherwise be possible.

Added Value Criteria

Creation of new interdisciplinary communities/topics; critical mass of researchers with varied expertise; mobility between academia/universities/industry; and sustainability beyond the funding period.

References

Maximum 1,000 words. References must be listed in this section rather than throughout the rest of the application.

Project Partners

Partners can be from industry, academia, the third sector or government organisations, in the UK or overseas, including the EU.

Project Partner Contributions

Applicants must provide organisation name/address, partner contact details, contribution type (direct or indirect) and monetary value.

Project Partner Agreements

Formal collaboration agreements must be put in place if an award is made.

Project Partner Letters

A single PDF containing letters/emails of support from each named project partner must be uploaded.

Partner Letter Requirements

Each letter/email should confirm commitment, explain the value/relevance/benefits of the work to the partner and describe the additional value they bring.

Partner Support File

Single PDF, maximum 8MB.

Host Organisation Letters

Letters of support should not be provided from host or project co-leads' research organisations.

Facilities

Maximum 250 words. Applicants requiring facilities must follow the facility's normal access procedures and obtain prior agreement where required.

Sensitive Information

Maximum 1 word response in the Funding Service, followed by an email to EPSRC if confidential information needs to be provided.

Resources and Cost Justification

Maximum 1,000 words. Applicants should provide high-level costs and justify significant resources rather than providing a line-by-line cost breakdown.

Costs Requiring Justification

Project staff; significant fieldwork/collaboration travel; equipment over £25,000; exceptional consumables; facilities/infrastructure; and resources categorised as Exceptions.

Resources Assessment

Assessors consider whether resources are comprehensive, appropriate, justified, represent optimal use of resources and maximise outcomes/impact.

Ethics and RRI

Maximum 500 words. Applicants must identify and evaluate relevant ethical/RRI considerations and explain how they will be managed.

Ethical Sub-Questions

Where applicable, applicants may need to address genetic/biological risks, animal research, overseas animal research, human participation, and human tissues/biological samples.

Peer Review

At least three independent peer reviewers are invited to assess each application against the published criteria.

Reviewer Selection

Applicants cannot nominate reviewers through the new Funding Service. Research councils select expert reviewers.

Right to Reply

Applicants can respond to reviewers' comments if the application gains enough support.

Panel Assessment

Applications that gain sufficient reviewer support, together with reviewer comments and the applicant response, go to the appropriate prioritisation panel.

Panel Process

The panel scores applications against the assessment criteria and ranks them alongside other applications.

Responsive Mode Panels

Mathematical Sciences, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Engineering, and Physical Sciences.

Panel Frequency

Panels are expected to run quarterly after September 2024.

Feedback

No further feedback beyond reviewers' comments is provided after the panel.

Application Amendment Rule

UKRI will not return applications for amendment. If an application is withdrawn before peer review or office-rejected due to substantive errors, a new application must be submitted.

Resubmission Rules

Uninvited resubmissions of projects previously submitted to UKRI or any other funder are not accepted.

Publication of Outcomes

EPSRC will publish funding opportunity outcomes. Successful applications may have some personal information published on UKRI Gateway to Research.

Important Notes

This opportunity is specifically for building and coordinating interdisciplinary research communities, not for funding the research itself.

Current Update

UKRI's latest listed update is 13 October 2025.

Application deadline in source document

Open - no closing date

Official source

Read the funding authority guidance