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 on a strategic research theme. EPSRC programme grant outline s…
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 significant research challenges within the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council remit. The scheme supports teams of internationally recognised scientists or engineers working on a strategic research theme. EPSRC programme grant outline s…
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research, Public Sector
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Engineering and physical sciences research areas within EPSRC remit.
Match funding
Not required
Requirements
Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding. The lead organisation must be a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding and responsible for submitting the application. Projects should address significant research challenges through a coordinated programme of interlinked research activities led by a strong multidisciplinary team.
Eligible applicants
Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Over £5 million
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
EPSRC funds 80% of the full economic cost.
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
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 research staff, consumables, travel, and equipment where justified.
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 are assessed in two stages: outline proposals reviewed by an EPSRC internal staff panel, followed by invited full proposals assessed through peer review, panel assessment and interview.
Application sections
- Summary, 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.
- International project co-leads may participate, including researchers based in Norway under the UKRI–Research Council of Norway Money Follows Cooperation agreement.
Consortium requirements
- Not specified
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"Strategic collaborative research programme addressing major research challenges."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Yes. Shortlisted applicants at the full proposal stage will be interviewed by an expert panel."},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Proposals must demonstrate strategic vision, strong collaboration between leading researchers, and a coherent programme of interconnected research activities addressing major challenges."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Uninvited resubmissions of previously submitted projects are not accepted."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Applications are submitted through the UKRI Funding Service and must first pass the outline stage before being invited to submit a full proposal. Applications in certain themes may be paused according to EPSRC policy."}]
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 EPSRC remit.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 2 Oct 2024