EPSRC Programme Grant Full Proposal
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) · United Kingdom
Programme grants provide flexible funding to world-leading research groups addressing major strategic research challenges within the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council remit. The scheme supports interdisciplinary teams of internationally recognised researchers working together on a coherent long-term research theme.
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Complexity
High
Time to apply
60-120 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Programme grants provide flexible funding to world-leading research groups addressing major strategic research challenges within the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council remit. The scheme supports interdisciplinary teams of internationally recognised researchers working together on a coherent long-term research theme.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research, Public Sector
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Engineering and physical sciences research areas within the EPSRC remit.
Match funding
Needs verification
Requirements
Researchers based at UK research organisations eligible for EPSRC funding. Applications are accepted only from applicants invited to submit a full proposal following a successful outline stage. The project lead must be based at an eligible UK research organisation. Projects addressing large, open-ended research challenges that require coordinated research activity across disciplines and institu...
Eligible applicants
Researchers based at UK research organisations eligible for EPSRC funding. Applications are accepted only from applicants invited to submit a full proposal following a successful outline stage.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Over £5 million
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
EPSRC funds 80% of the full economic cost of the project.
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Projects addressing large, open-ended research challenges that require coordinated research activity across disciplines and institutions, enabling feasibility studies, idea development and new research capabilities within a strategic programme.
Eligible expenses
- Research staff, project costs and equipment required to deliver the research programme. Individual equipment items costing between £25,000 and £400,000 may be requested.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under UKRI FEC and EPSRC funding opportunity terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Open (Rolling assessment)
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Applications undergo independent peer review, shortlisting based on reviewer comments and scores, and panel interviews before final funding decisions are made by EPSRC.
Application sections
- Application sections include vision, approach, additionality, applicant and team capability to deliver, resources and cost justification, management strategy, organisation support, and ethics and responsible research and innovation considerations.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if eligibility requirements are not met, if proposals fall outside the EPSRC remit, or if application guidance is not followed.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
4 Mar 2025
Project duration
Up to 6 years
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Programme grants typically involve collaborative and interdisciplinary teams bringing together researchers with complementary expertise to address strategic research challenges.
- International collaborators may participate through the project co-lead (international) role only where permitted under the UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation agreement or the UKRI-IIASA agreement.
Consortium requirements
- Teams of internationally recognised researchers working collaboratively on a strategic research theme.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"Strategic, interdisciplinary and collaborative research programmes addressing major scientific and engineering challenges."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Yes. Shortlisted applicants are invited to interview with an expert panel."},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Applicants must be invited following a successful outline stage. Proposals must address major strategic research challenges and demonstrate strong leadership, collaboration and management structures."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Uninvited resubmissions of previously submitted projects are not accepted."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Programme grants are designed as large-scale, long-term investments supporting collaborative research teams with flexibility to adapt research directions and allocate resources across programme activities."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- Over £5 million
- Funding band
- Large (£5M+)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation, Public Sector, Mixed
- Industry
- Engineering and physical sciences research areas within the EPSRC remit.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 19 Feb 2025