EPSRC new investigator award: Nov 2023: responsive mode
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) · United Kingdom
Grant funding designed to support early career researchers at eligible research organisations to establish their own research vision and begin developing an independent research group aligned with EPSRC research priorities.
Summary
Deadline
4 Aug 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Grant funding designed to support early career researchers at eligible research organisations to establish their own research vision and begin developing an independent research group aligned with EPSRC research priorities.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Research areas within EPSRC remit including artificial intelligence, digital security and resilience, energy and decarbonisation, engineering, healthcare technologies, information and communication technologies, manufacturing and the circular economy, mathematical sciences, physical sciences and quantum technologies.
Match funding
Not required
Requirements
Researchers holding an academic lectureship position (or equivalent) at an eligible UK research organisation who have not previously led a research group. Eligibility is determined based on funding history rather than years since PhD or job title. Applications must be submitted by an eligible UK research organisation through the UKRI Funding Service. Projects should have a single clear research...
Eligible applicants
Researchers holding an academic lectureship position (or equivalent) at an eligible UK research organisation who have not previously led a research group. Eligibility is determined based on funding history rather than years since PhD or job title.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
No funding cap specified
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
80% of Full Economic Cost (FEC).
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Projects should have a single clear research vision with defined objectives and outcomes that help establish the applicant’s independent research programme.
Eligible expenses
- Staff costs, equipment purchases, travel and subsistence, impact-related activities and other project costs required to carry out the research.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under UKRI FEC and EPSRC funding opportunity terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Competitive Selection
Decision timeline
Applications are batched and reviewed through responsive mode panels held periodically.
Assessment process
Applications undergo peer review followed by prioritisation panel assessment where proposals are scored and ranked against assessment criteria.
Application sections
- Summary, core team information, thematic area alignment, vision and approach document, applicant and team capability, references, research organisation support statement, applicant eligibility confirmation, project partner contributions and letters of support, facilities, resources and cost justification, and ethics and responsible research considerations.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if eligibility requirements are not met, the research falls outside EPSRC remit or the proposal does not demonstrate a clear and focused research vision.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
Not specified
Project duration
Typically 1 to 3 years
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Applications are generally expected to be led by a single investigator. Project co-leads may be included only where essential expertise is required for the project.
- International collaborators may participate where relevant to the research project.
Consortium requirements
- Not specified
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"Discovery-led research and early career investigator development."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Applicants must demonstrate a clear research vision, the potential to establish an independent research group and alignment with EPSRC research themes."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Uninvited resubmissions of previously submitted projects are not accepted."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"The scheme is designed to support career development for new investigators and encourages applicants returning from career breaks or following non-standard career paths."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- 4 Aug 2026
- Funding amount
- No funding cap specified
- Funding band
- Mid (£500k-£5M)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Research areas within EPSRC remit including artificial intelligence, digital security and resilience, energy and decarbonisation, engineering, healthcare technologies, information and communication technologies, manufacturing and the circular economy, mathematical sciences, physical sciences and quantum technologies.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 12 Nov 2023