EPSRC prosperity partnerships 2027
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) · United Kingdom
Funding to support ambitious, long-term collaborative research programmes between academia and industry, focused on engineering and physical sciences to drive UK economic growth and societal impact.
Summary
Deadline
21 May 2026
Complexity
High
Time to apply
60-120 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding to support ambitious, long-term collaborative research programmes between academia and industry, focused on engineering and physical sciences to drive UK economic growth and societal impact.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Business, Research, Public Sector
Business size
SME, Large
Industries
Engineering and physical sciences, including AI, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, semiconductors, life sciences, defence, quantum, and creative industries
Match funding
Needs verification
Requirements
UK research organisations (universities, research institutes, NHS bodies) acting as primary academic partner; must collaborate with a primary business partner UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding must lead; projects co-created and co-delivered by established business and academic partners. Fundamental and applied research addressing industry challenges, aligned with UK Industrial...
Eligible applicants
UK research organisations (universities, research institutes, NHS bodies) acting as primary academic partner; must collaborate with a primary business partner
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£40,000,000
Total fund available
£40,000,000
Funding intensity
Not specified
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Fundamental and applied research addressing industry challenges, aligned with UK Industrial Strategy priorities and aimed at generating long-term economic and societal impact
Eligible expenses
- Staff costs, travel, training, equipment, impact activities, and research delivery costs within full economic cost (FEC) model
Ineligible costs
- Business contributions derived from public funding
- non-compliant or out-of-scope projects
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Peer review and panel assessment with prioritisation based on strategic alignment and impact potential
Application sections
Not specified
Application components
- Project summary, vision and approach, partnership fit, team capability, financial details, and supporting documents (e.g., workplan, Gantt chart)
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
- Research quality, innovation, strategic alignment, partnership strength, feasibility, impact potential, and value for money
Timeline and partners
Opening date
12 Mar 2026
Project duration
Up to 5 years
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Allowed
- however, match funding must come from eligible business partners with UK presence
Consortium requirements
- Mandatory business–academic partnership; co-created and co-delivered collaborative programme required.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Key Organisational Requirements","value":"Must demonstrate at least one year of established collaboration between academic and business partners; co-created and co-delivered project; strong strategic alignment with national priorities"},{"label":"Funding Structure","value":"EPSRC funds 80% of full economic cost (FEC); business partner must provide matching cash contribution equal to or exceeding EPSRC funding"},{"label":"Minimum Project Size","value":"At least £500,000 total project value"},{"label":"Funding Requirements","value":"Business cash contribution must at least match EPSRC funding; in-kind contributions allowed but not counted toward match funding"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Strong emphasis on established partnerships, co-investment, and real-world impact; highly competitive; projects must demonstrate clear route to economic and societal benefit"}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 21 May 2026
- Funding amount
- £40,000,000
- Funding band
- Large (£5M+)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Business, Research Innovation, Public Sector, Mixed
- Industry
- Engineering and physical sciences, including AI, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, semiconductors, life sciences, defence, quantum, and creative industries
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- Not specified