Research and Partnership Hubs for a Healthy Society (Invite Only)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) · United Kingdom
Grant funding to support ambitious collaborative research programmes co-created and co-delivered by business and academic partners focusing on high-growth opportunity themes from the National Materials Innovation Strategy. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
14 May 2026
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Grant funding to support ambitious collaborative research programmes co-created and co-delivered by business and academic partners focusing on high-growth opportunity themes from the National Materials Innovation Strategy. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Advanced manufacturing, energy materials, healthcare materials, structural materials, surface technologies, electronics and telecommunications materials, consumer products, packaging, polymers and related advanced materials sectors. (UK Research and Innovation)
Match funding
Business partners must provide a cash contribution equal to or greater than the EPSRC contribution. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible applicants
UK higher education institutions, research council institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations, public sector research establishments and NHS bodies with research capacity. Applications must include both a primary academic partner and a primary business partner. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Minimum EPSRC funding £250,000 (minimum project FEC £312,500). No maximum award specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Total fund available
£7,500,000 (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding intensity
EPSRC funds 80% of the Full Economic Cost (FEC).
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Projects must align with one or more of the six high-growth opportunity themes within the National Materials Innovation Strategy, accelerate advanced materials research, address real-world industrial challenges and demonstrate strong business collaboration. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible expenses
- Research staff, equipment (over £25,000), travel, consumables, facilities, project resources and other eligible research costs. Equipment between £25,000 and £400,000 may be requested with justification. (UK Research and Innovation)
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Not specified
Decision timeline
Funding decisions expected in August 2026 following panel assessment and portfolio balancing. (UK Research and Innovation)
Assessment process
Expert panel assessment followed by portfolio balancing against the National Materials Innovation Strategy themes. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application sections
- Vision, approach, partnership, applicant capability, project management, resources and costs, partner contributions, ethics and responsible research and innovation, trusted research and innovation.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if eligibility, partnership requirements, funding rules or scope requirements are not met.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
3 Mar 2026
Project duration
Up to 3.5 years
Project start
1 Oct 2026
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Projects must be co-created and co-delivered by business and academic partners with an established partnership of at least one year. Businesses may form a consortium to provide the required cash contribution. (UK Research and Innovation)
Consortium requirements
- Academic and business partners act as joint leads. Additional partners may participate where justified.
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-05.
International Collaboration Requirement
International project partners are permitted where they add value and comply with EPSRC international funding rules.
Research Category
Fundamental research in advanced materials aligned with the National Materials Innovation Programme.
Research Organisation Funding
Research organisations receive 80% of Full Economic Cost (FEC).
Subcontractors
Permitted where appropriately justified under EPSRC rules.
Interview Stage
Not specified
Key Requirements
Projects must involve established academic-business partnerships, address National Materials Innovation Strategy priorities, demonstrate business cash match funding and deliver significant industrial impact.
Important Notes
Status: Closed. The application deadline was 14 May 2026. Next round: No future EPSRC Materials Innovation Partnerships competition has been announced. Applicants should monitor future EPSRC and National Materials Innovation Programme funding opportunities for the next call. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application deadline in source document
14 May 2026, 4:00 PM UK time
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 14 May 2026
- Funding amount
- Minimum EPSRC funding £250,000 (minimum project FEC £312,500). No maximum award specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Advanced manufacturing, energy materials, healthcare materials, structural materials, surface technologies, electronics and telecommunications materials, consumer products, packaging, polymers and related advanced materials sectors. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 4 Mar 2026