UKRI Translation EPSRC Prosperi

Application Platform: UKRI Funding Service

Application Sections: Summary, Vision and Approach, Fit to Prosperity Partnerships Opportunity, Applicant and Team Capability to Deliver, Primary Academic Partner Research Organisation Statement, Project Partners, Facilities, Resources and Cost Justification, Partner Contributions to Costs, Ethics and Responsible Research and Innovation, Trusted Research and Innovation.

Assessment Process: Two-stage process including a shortlisting panel followed by an interview panel for shortlisted applicants.

Co-Funders: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Collaboration Rules: Projects must be co-created and co-delivered by a primary academic partner and a primary business partner with an established partnership.

Competitiveness: Highly competitive national funding programme supporting large-scale collaborative research partnerships.

Consortium Requirements: Partnerships may include multiple collaborators including businesses, research organisations, public sector bodies, and international partners.

Decision Risks: Applications may be rejected if they fail eligibility checks, lack strong industry collaboration, or do not meet the match funding requirement.

Decision Timeline: Shortlisting results expected by July 2026, final decisions expected by December 2026.

Eligible Expenses: Staff salaries, research and innovation associates, professional staff, travel and subsistence, training costs, small equipment under £25,000, equipment up to £400,000, impact-related costs, and project-related materials.

Eligible Scope: Projects must address major industry challenges and align with strategic UK priorities such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, engineering biology, clean growth and energy, cyber security, semiconductors, life sciences, and creative industries.

Funding Intensity: EPSRC funds 80% of the Full Economic Cost (FEC).

Important Notes: Projects must demonstrate clear co-creation between academic and business partners, and business partners must provide auditable cash contributions matching the EPSRC funding.

Ineligible Projects: Projects without a clear academic–business partnership, projects not aligned with EPSRC remit, or projects lacking required business cash match funding.

International Collaboration Requirement: International partners may participate but the required cash match funding must come from eligible business partners.

Interview Stage: Yes, shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview with up to three representatives from the project team.

Key Requirements: Projects must demonstrate an established academic–industry partnership of at least one year, alignment with UK industrial strategy priorities, and strong potential for economic and societal impact.

Lead Organisation Requirement: The primary academic partner must be an eligible research organisation and submit the application through the UKRI Funding Service.

Match Funding Requirement: Business partners must provide a cash contribution that matches or exceeds the EPSRC funding amount.

Project Duration: Up to 5 years

Project End Date: Up to 5 years after start date

Project Start Date: Expected in the first half of 2027

Publication Date: 2026-03-12 00:00:00

Renewal Rules: Resubmissions are not accepted unless explicitly invited.

Research Category: Fundamental and applied research within engineering and physical sciences, including multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research.

Research Organisation Funding: Host research organisations must provide appropriate infrastructure and support for the project.

Subcontractors: Project partners may contribute resources, expertise, or funding as collaborators.

Total Fund Available: £40,000,000