EPSRC Programme Grant: Outline Stage
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) · United Kingdom
Programme grants provide flexible funding to world-leading research groups addressing significant research challenges within the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council remit. The scheme supports teams of internationally recognised scientists or engineers working together on a coherent strategic research theme.
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Programme grants provide flexible funding to world-leading research groups addressing significant research challenges within the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council remit. The scheme supports teams of internationally recognised scientists or engineers working together on a coherent strategic research theme.
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Engineering and physical sciences research areas within the EPSRC remit.
Match funding
No institutional matched funding required beyond the standard 20% full economic cost contribution.
Eligible applicants
Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Not specified
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
EPSRC funds 80% of the full economic cost.
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Projects should address significant research challenges through a coordinated programme of interlinked research activities led by a strong multidisciplinary team.
Eligible expenses
- Standard EPSRC eligible project costs including staff, research costs, travel and equipment where justified.
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Not specified
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Applications are assessed in two stages: outline proposals are reviewed by an EPSRC internal staff panel, followed by invited full proposals assessed through peer review, panel assessment and interview.
Application sections
- Strategic vision and fit to programme grant scheme, outline costs, project partners and facilities requirements.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they do not follow submission guidance or fail eligibility or scheme requirements.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
1 Oct 2024
Project duration
Up to 6 years
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Programme grants are expected to bring together teams of internationally recognised researchers and promote collaboration across disciplines and institutions.
Consortium requirements
- Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-11.
International Collaboration Requirement
International project co-leads may participate, including researchers based in Norway under the UKRI–Research Council of Norway Money Follows Cooperation agreement.
Research Category
Strategic collaborative research programme addressing major research challenges.
Research Organisation Funding
Funding is awarded to the host research organisation under the full economic cost model.
Subcontractors
Not specified
Interview Stage
Yes. Shortlisted applicants at the full proposal stage will be interviewed by an expert panel.
Key Requirements
Proposals must demonstrate strategic vision, strong collaboration between leading researchers, and a coherent programme of interconnected research activities addressing major challenges.
Important Notes
Applications are submitted through the UKRI Funding Service and must first pass the outline stage before applicants can be invited to submit a full proposal.
Application deadline in source document
Open with no fixed closing date
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- Not specified
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Engineering and physical sciences research areas within the EPSRC remit.
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 3 Oct 2024