Mathematical Sciences Open and Open Plus Fellowship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) · United Kingdom
Personal fellowships designed to support talented researchers to pursue independent research and develop leadership within the mathematical sciences. The scheme supports high quality discovery-led research and career development. Mathematical sciences open and open plus fellowships.
Summary
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Personal fellowships designed to support talented researchers to pursue independent research and develop leadership within the mathematical sciences. The scheme supports high quality discovery-led research and career development. Mathematical sciences open and open plus fellowships.
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Mathematical sciences research within EPSRC remit.
Match funding
No matched funding required beyond the standard 20% institutional contribution under the FEC model.
Eligible applicants
Researchers with a PhD or at least four years of relevant research experience by the start of the fellowship. Applicants must be hosted and supported by an eligible UK research organisation.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
No fixed funding limit
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
EPSRC funds 80% of the full economic cost (FEC).
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Research where the primary novelty lies within mathematical sciences, including development of novel mathematical or statistical tools and interdisciplinary applications involving mathematical innovation.
Eligible expenses
- Staff costs, equipment up to £400,000 per item, research costs, travel and subsistence, impact activities, and other resources required to deliver the project.
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Not specified
Decision timeline
Not specified; applications are assessed through regular decision points throughout the year.
Assessment process
Applications undergo external peer review followed by panel assessment and ranking.
Application sections
- Summary, vision and approach, applicant capability to deliver, career development, host organisation support, resources and cost justification, ethics and responsible research and innovation, facilities, trusted research and innovation, and project partner information.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they fall outside the EPSRC remit, do not follow submission requirements, or do not meet eligibility criteria.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
30 Jan 2025
Project duration
Up to 5 years (can extend proportionally if held part time)
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Fellowship awards are primarily individual. Projects may include collaborators where essential expertise is required, but the fellow retains overall leadership.
Consortium requirements
- Not required
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-11.
International Collaboration Requirement
International collaborators or partners may participate where relevant to the research programme.
Research Category
Individual fellowship supporting independent research and career development in mathematical sciences.
Research Organisation Funding
Funding is awarded to the host research organisation.
Subcontractors
Not specified
Interview Stage
Yes. Shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview with an expert panel.
Key Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate strong research capability, a high-quality research programme within mathematical sciences, and a clear career development plan supported by the host organisation.
Important Notes
Open Plus fellowships require applicants to dedicate 20% to 50% of their time to activities that improve the research environment, such as equality, diversity and inclusion, responsible research practices, public engagement, or policy engagement. The opportunity closed on 30 April 2026 and is being replaced by an early independence fellowship in mathematical sciences.
Application deadline in source document
30 April 2026, 4:00pm UK time
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 30 Apr 2026
- Funding amount
- No fixed funding limit
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Fellowship
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Mathematical sciences research within EPSRC remit.
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 30 Jan 2025