Statements of Need in Research Infrastructure
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) · United Kingdom
Opportunity inviting representatives of scientific communities to submit statements of need for large-scale research infrastructure in order to inform future investment decisions. The aim is to understand the scale, range and strategic importance of potential infrastructure investments in the UK research landscape.
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Opportunity inviting representatives of scientific communities to submit statements of need for large-scale research infrastructure in order to inform future investment decisions. The aim is to understand the scale, range and strategic importance of potential infrastructure investments in the UK research landscape.
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Engineering and physical sciences research infrastructure supporting UK research communities.
Match funding
Not specified
Eligible applicants
Researchers based at UK research organisations eligible for EPSRC funding under standard EPSRC eligibility rules.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
No direct funding available. Statements of need typically relate to infrastructure investments exceeding £5 million.
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
Not applicable
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Statements describing the need for large-scale research infrastructure or facilities that would support strategic research capability in the UK. Infrastructure may be physical or digital and should demonstrate strategic value to the research community.
Eligible expenses
- Not applicable as no funding is provided through this opportunity. Applicants must provide indicative full economic costs for the proposed infrastructure.
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Not specified
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Statements of need are prioritised by an internal EPSRC panel based on their value to UK research and innovation and alignment with government strategies. Additional advice may be sought where necessary.
Application sections
- Summary, vision, purpose and importance of the infrastructure, impact, users and community engagement, sustainability, data management and sharing, outline costs and justification, authors, and ethics and responsible research and innovation considerations.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they do not follow submission guidance or fail to demonstrate strategic importance and community support.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
17 Mar 2025
Project duration
Not specified
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Statements of need should represent the needs of a wider research community rather than the needs of a single research group. Evidence of community consultation is expected.
Consortium requirements
- Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-10.
International Collaboration Requirement
Not specified
Research Category
Research infrastructure planning and strategic research capability development.
Research Organisation Funding
Not applicable
Subcontractors
Not specified
Interview Stage
Not specified
Key Requirements
Proposals must demonstrate clear community demand, strategic value to the UK research landscape and alignment with EPSRC, UKRI or government research strategies.
Important Notes
This opportunity does not provide direct funding. Its purpose is to gather information about potential infrastructure needs that may inform future funding opportunities or investment decisions.
Application deadline in source document
Open with no fixed closing date
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- No direct funding available. Statements of need typically relate to infrastructure investments exceeding £5 million.
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Other
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Engineering and physical sciences research infrastructure supporting UK research communities.
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 6 Mar 2025