About
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the UK's largest public funder of research and innovation, investing £8 billion of taxpayers' money each year. UKRI brings together nine partner organisations including seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK, working across diverse fields from biodiversity conservation to quantum computing and space telescopes to innovative healthcare. The organization's mission is advancing knowledge, improving lives, and driving growth by giving everyone the opportunity to contribute and benefit from research and innovation.
Funding Opportunities
Early career fellowships in cultural and heritage institutions: 2025 (invite only)
This funding opportunity enables early career postdoctoral, or equivalent, researchers to gain research and career experience in the galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM) sector. Fellows will work with a major cultural or heritage host organisation on a co-designed research project that benefits the fellow and the host organisation. The scheme aims to create new opportunities for early career postdoctoral researchers to build, deepen or broaden their experience of working in, and with, major cultural and heritage organisations, develop the fellows' skills and future research career in areas of relevance to the work, collections and practices of cultural and heritage organisations, deliver high quality and impactful research and innovation projects, enhance the host organisation's capacity to undertake research and innovation activities, address the lack of dedicated support at the early stage of research careers across the GLAM sector, promote equality, diversity and inclusion principles, strengthen efforts to build and diversify research capabilities in the cultural heritage research and innovation ecosystem, and further extend the GLAM sector's engagement with, and contribution to, society. The fellowship includes a tailored training and development programme delivered primarily online with some in-person events including a residential, designed to support researchers working across the GLAM and higher education institution sectors.
EPSRC Prosperity Partnerships 2027
EPSRC Prosperity Partnerships supports ambitious, collaborative research programmes that are business-led, co-created and co-delivered by business and academic partners. The partnerships aim to create long-term prosperity for the UK through jobs, revenue growth, and addressing broader societal and sustainability issues. Projects must feature world-leading, fundamental engineering and physical sciences research that creates significant impacts through new knowledge, innovations, approaches, or technologies. Both business and academic researchers must make distinct intellectual contributions to the partnership. EPSRC funds 80% of the full economic cost (FEC) of projects, with business partners required to provide a cash contribution that at least matches the EPSRC funding amount. Applications must demonstrate at least one year of established partnership collaboration between the primary academic and business partners. The program particularly encourages involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and prioritizes applications showing clear strategic alignment to UK national priorities such as The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy 2025.
MRC: new investigator research grant: applicant-led
The Medical Research Council (MRC) New Investigator Research Grant provides funding for researchers who are capable of becoming independent researchers and are ready to take the next step towards that goal. This award supports applicant-led proposals for discovery research in the MRC remit to transform understanding of human health and disease, accelerate diagnosis, advance treatment and prevent human illness. The funding typically lasts three years and covers up to 50% of the researcher's salary. There is no limit to funding applicants can request, though typical projects have a full economic cost (FEC) under £1 million, with MRC funding 80% of the FEC. This funding opportunity is designed to support individuals in the transition to independence stage who have the skills and experience to lead research but have not yet led a research team or been awarded a substantial grant as a fellow or project lead. The grant combines research project support with other academic or clinical activities during the transition to independence.
MRC: research grant: applicant-led
The Medical Research Council (MRC) offers applicant-led research grants to support research within MRC remit, providing flexible support for discovery and early translational research. The funding is designed to transform understanding of human health and disease, accelerate diagnosis, advance treatment and prevent human illness. This opportunity supports focused research that is flexible in duration and scale, longer-term ambitious research addressing interrelated questions, and proof of principle work to test key hypotheses or demonstrate feasibility for new research avenues. The grants support team-science approaches and interdisciplinary research across MRC's research areas including infections and immunity, molecular and cellular medicine, neurosciences and mental health, and population and systems medicine.
British Election Study 2027-2032
This funding opportunity seeks applicants to lead the British Election Study (BES) between 2027 and 2037, with initial funding covering 2027-2032. The BES is the longest running social science survey in the UK, collecting politically independent data on British politics, elections and voting behaviour in England, Wales and Scotland. The successful applicant will be responsible for delivering high-quality data collection on the anticipated 2029 UK General Election in Great Britain and surveys aligned to local elections. The study aims to produce high-quality data that meets the needs of research, policy and practice communities, ensure timely access to data, promote use of the data by research and wider stakeholder communities to inform policy and practice, and collaborate with other UK election studies. Funding is available for a maximum of 60 months from October 2026, supporting consultation with stakeholders, data collection and processing, publication, and promoting use and impact of the data. The study will maintain the time series data while allowing for innovation, including consideration of AI capabilities in data infrastructure and analysis.
Northern Ireland Election Study 2026 to 2031
This funding opportunity supports the Northern Ireland Election Study (NIES) between 2026 and 2036, with initial funding covering 2026-2031. The study will collect high quality, politically independent data at scale to inform research into Northern Irish politics, elections and voting behaviour. Initial funding will support data collection for the anticipated 2027 Northern Ireland Assembly election and the anticipated 2029 UK General Election in Northern Ireland. The NIES aims to produce data that meets the needs of research, policy and practice communities, building on existing time series data while ensuring timely access. The successful applicant will promote data use across academic and non-academic stakeholder communities, collaborate with other UK election studies to facilitate meaningful comparison, and deliver data collection, processing and publication in line with ESRC's data infrastructure strategy.
Early independence: career development fellowship
The Early Independence Career Development Fellowship is a personal award from the Medical Research Council (MRC) designed to support talented researchers who have completed their PhD and demonstrate evidence of career consolidation and productivity. The fellowship aims to enable recipients to lead their own research plans, establish their own research niche, and begin building their own research team as they make their first step-change towards independence. The fellowship provides comprehensive support including full salary coverage and project costs (80% of full economic cost) for up to five years. It welcomes applications from researchers of all nationalities across all areas of MRC's scientific remit to improve human health, ranging from basic studies with relevance to mechanisms of disease to translational and developmental clinical research. The fellowship includes opportunities for research overseas or at a second UK organization, support for a small research team, and a tailored career development package with protected research time.
UKRI Translation: AHRC Proof of Concept
UKRI Translation: AHRC Proof of Concept supports arts and humanities activity that translate previously funded Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)/UKRI projects into real world economic, societal, cultural or policy impact. These awards focus on knowledge exchange, translation, commercialisation, entrepreneurial skills and venture building to maximise the reach and application of arts and humanities research. The program aims to facilitate ambitious arts and humanities projects to realise measurable, real-world change, provide flexible support for innovative pathways to impact, sustain and maximise excellent models of co-design and partnership working, and encourage a range of pathways to impact between arts and humanities research and various user communities including business, third sector, heritage sector, public policy, and the general public. Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding and must build upon existing projects currently or previously funded by AHRC or UKRI.
What Works Centre (WWC) for local employment support
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are jointly inviting proposals for an independent, co-created What Works Centre to identify, develop, test, and evaluate evidence-based locally delivered employment and labour market support to help people access, remain in, and thrive in work. The centre will focus primarily on the role and effectiveness of local and regional government levers to increase and sustain local labour force participation rates, with an emphasis on locally-delivered active labour market policies and other interventions aimed at achieving positive employment outcomes. ESRC and DWP are particularly interested in what works to support better employment outcomes for people living with, or caring for those living with, ill health (whether physical or mental), long-term health conditions, or disability. The centre will act as a central evidence hub, championing the systematic, purposeful, rigorous, and transparent assessment and implementation of what genuinely works for local and regional government actors across the UK in their quest to support better employment outcomes for their communities.
Researching ME/CFS: priority area
This funding opportunity from the Medical Research Council (MRC) supports research into myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Building the MRC's portfolio of ME/CFS research has been a high priority since 2003, and this priority notice seeks to encourage high-quality funding applications to any of MRC's grant or fellowship funding opportunities. The program particularly welcomes applications within MRC remit that address one or more of the research areas identified by the ME/CFS Priority Setting Partnership, which was led by people with ME/CFS, their carers, and clinicians. Priority areas include investigating the biological mechanisms of post-exertional malaise, pathways to drug repurposing, development of accurate diagnostic tools, the role of the immune system, stratification of ME/CFS, post-infection disease evaluation, neurological symptoms, genetic links, drivers of disease severity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxygenation dysfunction. Applications should consider increasing capacity in ME/CFS research, building multidisciplinary teams, and involving persons living with ME/CFS in developing research proposals. MRC will usually fund up to 80% of the project's full economic cost. Applications submitted under the ME/CFS priority area receive prioritization for funding against other applications attaining the same median ranking score. Applicants can apply through any of MRC's existing funding schemes, including grants and fellowships across various career stages. The opportunity has been open since May 2003 with no closing date, operating on a rolling basis depending on the specific grant or fellowship scheme chosen.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) help businesses to innovate, develop, grow and become more productive by employing academic expertise that they do not have in-house. KTPs are partnerships open to UK-based businesses of any size working with universities, colleges, research and technology organisations including Catapults. The project can focus on any type of innovation in any sector but must aim to deliver results that the business would not otherwise be able to deliver. Partnerships are part-funded by a grant, with businesses contributing to project costs including the salary of a graduate associate and a supervisor. The associate is employed by the academic partner but works in the business, bringing new skills and thinking to deliver a specific innovation project lasting between 12 and 36 months. Project costs vary greatly, but typically a small or medium-sized business might expect to contribute £35,000 a year and a large company in excess of £50,000. Applications are assessed by an independent group on their potential to create economic growth or societal impact. Partnerships should demonstrate a need for knowledge transfer and benefit to all partners, be an innovative project with a clear business case, provide a challenge for the associate, and have a clear outcome for the academic partner. There are rolling deadlines throughout the year with decisions normally made within 12 weeks.
Return to research support bursary
The Return to Research Support Bursary is designed for researchers looking to return to an academic research career after a break of two or more years. This bursary provides funding to help researchers develop a proposal suitable for submission to the STFC fellowship scheme. The bursary is specifically aimed at researchers who have taken a career break due to caring responsibilities, long-term illness, or time spent working in a non-research role. Applicants can receive up to £2,500 to cover costs of activities that will help prepare a proposal for STFC fellowship funding, such as literature reviews, familiarisation with equipment and techniques, and attendance at meetings and seminars. The funding can also help cover the costs of preparing an application, provided the applicant is a named researcher on the proposal. Eligible costs include childcare or other care costs, travel to the host institute or meetings, and other reasonable costs connected to visiting the host institution. Successful applicants are expected to produce a proposal for the STFC fellowship scheme or contribute to an application for project funding. The bursary can be held at any UK institution with recognised expertise in STFC-funded areas. Applications are reviewed by a panel comprising members of the STFC Education, Training and Careers Committee, who assess research excellence before the break, likelihood of producing a high-quality research proposal, potential for an academic career, and appropriateness of the host group.
Daphne Jackson Fellowship
The Daphne Jackson Fellowship is a retraining fellowship for researchers looking to return to a research career after a break of two or more years for family, health or caring reasons. The fellowship aims to give participants the confidence and skills they need to make a successful return to research. It provides an opportunity to balance a personalised retraining programme with a challenging research project in a supportive UK university or research establishment. The fellowships are flexible, part-time positions usually completed over two years at 0.5 full-time equivalent, with at least 100 hours of retraining per year. Fellows take part in three tailor-made courses during their fellowship covering professional skills, publishing, and confidence building. The Daphne Jackson Trust works in partnership with universities, research councils, learned societies, charities and industry to support researchers returning to their careers.
UKRI-SBE lead agency opportunity
This opportunity allows UK and US-based researchers to submit a collaborative proposal that will go through a single review process. The goal is to reduce some of the barriers that researchers and funding agencies encounter when trying to work internationally. This opportunity does not represent a separate research funding scheme – applications will be integrated into existing programmes at the relevant lead agency. The participating agencies include UKRI councils AHRC, BBSRC and ESRC, and the NSF/SBE. Proposals will be accepted for collaborative research in areas where NSF/SBE and UKRI's research remits overlap, including arts and humanities, biotechnology and biological science, economic and social science, and social, behavioral and economic sciences.
Collaborate with researchers in Brazil
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and FAPESP have renewed their memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support collaborative applications for five years. The MoU provides for a lead agency assessment whereby participant UKRI research councils receive and assess joint applications from eligible UK and Brazil-based researchers from the state of São Paulo on behalf of both organisations. UKRI and FAPESP will co-fund applications submitted to participant UKRI councils' selected applicant-led mode funding opportunities. Collaborative research applications led by UK applicants, with São Paulo-based researchers, may be submitted in any single or cross-disciplinary area which fits within the remit of the participating research councils (AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, NERC, STFC). UK and São Paulo-based applicants should ensure that their joint applications are well balanced, with clear roles and objectives, and equivalent research effort attributed to both sides of the collaboration. Applications under the lead agency agreement can now be made until December 2030 but applicants should check closing dates of specific funding opportunities.
PATT travel claim for competitively awarded observation time
This funding opportunity allows UK-based researchers at eligible institutions to claim back travel and subsistence costs when visiting an astronomy telescope for competitively awarded science observation time. The visit must be essential to the observing programme and the researcher must not already hold or have access to a travel grant from the Panel for the Allocation of Telescope Time (PATT). All trips must be approved in advance before claims can be submitted. The observing facility must be a telescope that is either in direct receipt of STFC funds (such as e-MERLIN, ING, and Liverpool Telescope) or approved by PATT. UKRI covers 100% of the full economic cost for travel and subsistence, administered as non-employee expenses. The programme requires researchers to submit a travel request at least four weeks before the observing run, keep all receipts during the trip, and submit the claim form within two months of completion. If a research group's combined claims exceed £7,500 in a year, they should apply for a PATT travel grant instead. This is an open opportunity with no closing date, allowing researchers to claim expenses throughout the year as needed for their approved observation time.
Work with Brazilian researchers: NERC FAPESP lead agency
This opportunity allows UK-based researchers and researchers in the State of São Paulo, Brazil to submit a collaborative application under existing NERC funding opportunities. This will go through a single review process. The goal is to reduce some of the barriers that researchers and funding agencies encounter when trying to work internationally. This opportunity does not represent a separate research funding scheme. Applications must be submitted under existing programmes, specifically NERC pushing the frontiers and large grants funding opportunities. Collaborative research applications may be submitted in any disciplinary or interdisciplinary subject where the majority falls within the remit of both agencies, NERC and FAPESP. NERC will assess applications on behalf of both organisations with FAPESP-nominated experts involved throughout. NERC will fund 80% of the full economic cost for directly incurred costs, directly allocated costs, and indirect costs, while equipment is funded at 100% full economic cost.
ESRC responsive mode: working with Brazilian researchers round two
This funding opportunity enables UK-based researchers to work collaboratively with researchers based in São Paulo, Brazil, through a partnership between the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP). Applicants can submit collaborative research proposals in any area of the social sciences within the remit of both ESRC and FAPESP. The initiative aims to reduce barriers to international collaboration and encourage joint research between UK and Brazilian researchers. The program supports basic, applied, and strategic research across all social science disciplines without thematic or methodological priorities. Ambitious and novel proposals addressing new concepts and techniques are encouraged, as are those with potential for significant scientific, societal, or economic impact. Projects can range from standard research to methodological development to large-scale surveys or infrastructure development. ESRC funds the UK portion of collaborative projects (80% of full economic costs ranging from £350,000 to £1 million) while FAPESP funds all justified costs for São Paulo-based Brazilian researchers through their separate system. This is an open call with no fixed deadline - applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with regular decision points. Projects can last up to five years and must involve collaboration between UK and São Paulo-based researchers in the social sciences. Applications undergo peer review followed by panel assessment, with both UK and Brazilian experts participating in the evaluation process. The opportunity supports basic, applied and strategic research across all social science disciplines within ESRC and FAPESP remits, encouraging ambitious and novel proposals with potential for significant scientific, societal or economic impact.
ESRC responsive mode: UKRI-SBE lead agency opportunity round two
This funding opportunity allows UK and US-based researchers to submit a collaborative proposal that will go through a single review process. Proposals can be submitted in any area within the remits of both ESRC and NSF-SBE. The program supports collaborative research between the UK's Economic and Social Research Council and the US National Science Foundation's Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences Directorate. Applications for ESRC-led proposals are via the UK Research and Innovation Funding Service and will run as consecutive rounds with closing dates. The full economic cost of the UK part of projects can range from £350,000 to £1 million, with ESRC funding 80% of the FEC. ESRC will fund basic, applied and strategic research from any disciplines and on any topics within their remit. Ambitious and novel proposals addressing new concepts and techniques are encouraged, as are those with the potential for significant scientific or societal and economic impact.
ESRC responsive mode: secondary data analysis round two
This funding opportunity supports research that exploits existing data resources for social and economic research, created by ESRC or other agencies. Applicants have considerable flexibility to focus on any subject area or topic providing that it falls within the ESRC's remit. Proposed research is not required to use ESRC-funded data resources, though this is encouraged. This funding opportunity also aims to develop the capacity and skills of social sciences communities in using large and complex existing data resources. Applications can draw from the wider sciences, but the social sciences must represent more than 50% of the research focus and effort. Ambitious and novel research proposals addressing new concepts and techniques are encouraged, as are those with the potential for significant scientific or societal and economic impact. Fresh ideas from new researchers are encouraged, and proposals are welcomed from early career researchers.
ESRC responsive mode: working with Luxembourg researchers round two
This funding opportunity supports collaborative research projects between UK and Luxembourg researchers in any area of social sciences within the remit of both ESRC and FNR. The programme is governed by an agreement between UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Fonds National de la Recherche (FNR) Luxembourg. Projects can focus on standard research, methodological development, or large-scale surveys and other infrastructures. The UK part of the project is funded by ESRC at 80% of full economic costs ranging from £350,000 to £1 million, while FNR funds all justified costs for Luxembourg researchers. Applications are submitted through the UKRI Funding Service with no fixed deadline, operating on a rolling basis with regular decision points to ensure timely assessment and decisions for applicants.
ESRC responsive mode: new investigator grants round two
This opportunity supports researchers at the start of their careers to enable their transition to become independent researchers through gaining experience of managing and leading research projects and teams. It also provides an opportunity for them to support their own skill development, and that of any research staff employed on the grant. Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding. Proposals can draw from the wider sciences, but the social sciences must represent more than 50% of the research focus and effort. New investigator grants are designed to allow early career researchers to gain experience of research leadership and management and to formulate their plans for their research careers. While the configuration of the team should be informed by the proposed project, ESRC expects that by the end of these awards the new investigator will be able to demonstrate their ability to lead research projects and teams.
ESRC responsive mode: research grants round two
This opportunity funds researcher-driven basic, applied, and strategic research from any disciplines and on any topics in ESRC's remit. This includes standard research projects, methodological development, large-scale surveys or other infrastructures. Proposals can draw from the wider sciences, as long as the social sciences are more than 50% of the research focus and effort. The funding opportunity supports ambitious and novel proposals addressing new concepts and techniques, as well as those with the potential for significant scientific or societal and economic impact. There are no thematic or methodological priorities; ESRC will fund the highest quality proposals received, regardless of focus or approach. Applications are via the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service and are assessed on a rolling basis with regular decision points. The full economic cost of projects can range from £350,000 to £1 million, with ESRC funding 80% of the full economic cost. Projects can have a duration of up to five years (60 months).
EPSRC standard research grant, Nov 2023: responsive mode
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) offers standard research grants for researchers at eligible research organisations in the UK. These grants support excellent discovery-led research across a wide range of projects, from small short-term grants to multi-million pound research projects. Funding includes high-risk or high-return research embracing new concepts or techniques, feasibility studies, instrument development, project-specific equipment, and collaborative projects that cross different disciplines. There is no limit on the value of the grant or length of the project - applicants should request what is needed to deliver the proposed programme of research. EPSRC will award 80% of the full economic cost (FEC) of the project. Applications can be submitted in any field of research relevant to EPSRC's remit including AI, digital security, energy, engineering, healthcare technologies, ICT, manufacturing, mathematical sciences, physical sciences, and quantum technologies. This is a responsive mode opportunity with no closing date - applicants should submit when their application is ready.
EPSRC overseas travel grant: Nov 2023: responsive mode
The EPSRC overseas travel grants (OTGs) provide funding for visits overseas to learn new techniques, or form and develop collaborations. The program supports researchers based at eligible UK research organisations to undertake international travel in any field of research relevant to EPSRC's remit. EPSRC is committed to the continued support of excellent discovery led research as detailed in EPSRC's strategic delivery plan 2022 to 2025. The grants are designed to add value to existing or future research and innovation, promote collaboration, support the acquisition and development of skills, and benefit the countries, organisations and regions involved. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed closing dates, and applications will be batched internally for assessment. We will award 80% of the full economic cost (FEC) of the project.
EPSRC discipline hopping in ICT, Nov 2023: responsive mode
Discipline hopping in ICT grants are for researchers based at an eligible UK research organisation who wish to expand their research into new disciplinary areas. Applicants may either have a background in ICT and propose to use their research skills in a new discipline, or have other expertise and wish to learn ICT research skills and apply them in their home discipline. The programme aims to support interdisciplinary research by enabling ICT researchers to use their expertise in other disciplines, or for researchers from other fields to apply their expertise to ICT. Researchers must be 'hopping' into or from one of the ICT research areas covered by this funding opportunity and must have a proven track record of research in their home discipline. The goal is to demonstrate how applicants will develop skills and collaborations with other disciplines or users, using interdisciplinary research and collaborative development to benefit the ICT research community. The period of discipline-hopping can last between three and 24 months with varying work patterns, such as working in another university department, traveling to different research institutions, or re-skilling over a longer period. EPSRC will award 80% of the full economic cost of the project, with the host organisation covering the remaining balance.
EPSRC New Investigator Award: Nov 2023: Responsive Mode
The EPSRC New Investigator Award is designed to support researchers at eligible research organisations who hold an academic lectureship position (or equivalent) and have not previously led a research group. The award aims to help new investigators develop their own research vision and establish a new research group to explore that vision. EPSRC encourages projects with a single, clear research vision and the identification of career development opportunities for new investigators. Awards fund 80% of the full economic cost (FEC) of the project. The scheme is open to applications in any field of research relevant to EPSRC's remit, including artificial intelligence, digital security, energy and decarbonisation, engineering, healthcare technologies, ICT, manufacturing, mathematical sciences, physical sciences, and quantum technologies. Eligibility is determined based on funding history rather than years post-PhD or job title, and the scheme particularly welcomes applications from candidates who have taken non-standard career paths or are returning to research after a career break.
EPSRC working with overseas scientists: Nov 2023: responsive mode
Working with overseas scientists grants enable researchers at eligible UK research organisations to collaborate with international partners through EPSRC's lead agency agreements. These agreements allow researchers to submit a single collaborative application with a joint funding decision, informed by a single lead agency review, thereby reducing barriers to international collaboration. The UK partners work with researchers in Ireland, Luxembourg, Brazil, Germany and the US through EPSRC's lead agency agreements, with the majority of the UK research falling within EPSRC remit. EPSRC will award 80% of the full economic cost (FEC) of the UK costs of the project, while overseas partners are funded by their relevant overseas agencies. Applications to collaborate with the US require submission of an expression of interest and invitation before submitting a full application, while collaborations with Germany, Luxembourg, Ireland, or Brazil do not require an expression of interest. This responsive mode funding opportunity supports excellent discovery-led research across EPSRC's remit areas including artificial intelligence, digital security, energy, engineering, healthcare technologies, ICT, manufacturing, mathematical sciences, physical sciences, and quantum technologies.
EPSRC network grant: Nov 2023: responsive mode
Network grants from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) support researchers at eligible UK research organisations in building interdisciplinary research communities. These grants aim to develop new interdisciplinary research communities and topics by supporting interaction between researchers and relevant science, technology and industrial groups. This could include transfer of experimental techniques, models and scientific insights, and promotion of mobility between academe, universities and industry. Networks are expected to lead to new collaborative multidisciplinary research applications in areas EPSRC supports, with some potentially developing into virtual centres of excellence. The grants do not fund research activities themselves, but rather support networking activities including salary costs for network management, travel and subsistence, workshops, administrative support, and communication costs. EPSRC will award 80% of the full economic cost (FEC) of the project, with no upper limit on the value of the grant.
Mathematical Sciences Small Grants
The Mathematical Sciences Small Grants funding opportunity is a mechanism for supporting mathematical sciences research which does not require funding at the level generally seen within standard research grants. This opportunity supports original research projects within the remit of the EPSRC Mathematical Sciences theme, assessed on a rolling basis. Projects can explore research in new areas, generate proof-of-principle results, conduct short follow-on projects, generate evidence of collaborations, realise user impacts, or support career development for postdoctoral-level researchers. The full economic cost can be up to £100,000 with EPSRC funding 80% of the FEC for projects lasting up to 12 months. Applications are driven by ideas and may involve single or multiple applicants, including interdisciplinary collaborative research. A discipline hopping route is also available for researchers wanting to develop skills or collaborations with other disciplines while maintaining connection to mathematical sciences.
Open access fund for longform publications: stage two
The aim of stage two of UKRI's open access fund is to enable research organisations to claim back costs that have facilitated immediate open access for monographs, book chapters, and edited collections that are required to acknowledge UKRI funding. Research organisations can claim open access (OA) costs for monographs, book chapters, and edited collections that are in-scope of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)'s OA policy that have been approved at stage one. All publications in the application must be in-scope of the policy, approved at stage one, and available OA immediately with a Creative Commons licence. At stage two, UKRI is looking for confirmation that the publication is available immediately open access with a Creative Commons licence and financial information associated with open access publication. Applications must be completed by the team responsible for OA within the organisation, and organisations must be based in the UK to apply.
Collaborate with the functional genomics screening laboratory
Apply to collaborate with the functional genomics screening laboratory (FGSL) on projects using complex human in vitro models for CRISPR screening to better understand model biology and enable target identification. The FGSL is a joint venture between MRC, AstraZeneca and the Milner Therapeutics Institute, University of Cambridge. It has been set up to enable UK based academic groups and where space allows UK based small medium enterprises and industry to have access to a state-of-the-art arrayed functional genomics screening laboratory. Screens will be carried out by scientists employed at Milner Therapeutics Institute (MTI), with all screens run as collaborations to ensure the best possible outcome and data. Applicants define the purpose of the screen and desired outcomes, providing the in vitro model, while the FGSL team conducts the screening work. Financial support for screens (consumables) is available either from AstraZeneca or from a screening access fund provided by MRC.
Work with US-based researchers on environmental science: NERC-NSF lead agency
This funding opportunity allows UK and US-based researchers to submit collaborative applications through a lead agency agreement between NERC and NSF. Collaborative work must adhere to the remits of both NERC and NSF GEO or BIO-DEB schemes. Applications may be submitted in any disciplinary or interdisciplinary subject, but the majority must fall within the remit of both agencies. UK-based researchers will be supported by NERC at 80% of full economic costs, while US-based researchers will be supported by NSF. The collaborative team decides whether NERC or NSF will be the lead agency based on where the majority of research will be conducted or which agency is expected to provide majority funding. This opportunity does not represent a separate research funding scheme but rather enables joint submissions under existing programmes at the relevant lead agency, including NERC's 'pushing the frontiers' and 'large grants outlines' schemes, and NSF's GEO and BIO-DEB core solicitations. An expression of interest must be submitted before the full application, and applications undergo a single review process by the lead agency.
Strategic infrastructure outlines
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) offers funding to purchase strategic infrastructure including equipment, resources or both. The funding seeks to improve UK scientific capability and enable cutting-edge research of high priority to EPSRC. This opportunity has two routes: Route one provides funding for the purchase and set-up of strategic infrastructure with a minimum full economic cost of £400,000. Route two provides resources to support existing strategic infrastructure with a maximum duration of two years, but is only available to invited applicants where strategic needs are identified by EPSRC theme leads. Strategic infrastructure is intended to enhance UK scientific capability and support cutting-edge research, including technology that increases novel research capability, infrastructure enabling research through increased capacity, and cutting-edge computing hardware. The funding is open with no closing date and operates on a rolling basis.
NERC urgency funding
Apply for funding to respond quickly to transient, unexpected environmental research opportunities created by sporadic natural occurrences such as earthquakes, droughts, floods, or ephemeral events in ecosystems. The aim of this funding is to help researchers collect valuable data at the start of the event before other events and actions affect the data collection. The full economic cost of your project can be up to £100,000. NERC will fund up to 80% of the full economic cost. Projects are expected to last up to one year. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for NERC funding. Applicants must first submit a one-page outline within four weeks of the environmental event occurring, and if approved, will be invited to submit a full application within 10 working days.
International Travel Award Scheme for the Biological Sciences
The International Travel Award Scheme supports BBSRC-funded researchers to visit international partners, initiate collaborations, and prepare joint funding proposals. The scheme provides funding for short-term travel to establish initial contacts with international partners, visit overseas facilities not available in the UK, or attend European consortia-building events. Visits may be up to one month in duration, with funding limited to travel and subsistence costs for individuals based in UK research institutions to travel overseas. Applicants must be holders of a current BBSRC research grant or researchers in BBSRC strategically supported institutes working on projects supported through Institute Core Grant Awards. The scheme aims to add value to UK bioscience by developing international contacts and enabling access to techniques, materials, or facilities that benefit BBSRC research projects.
EPSRC Programme Grant Outline Stage
Programme grants provide flexible funding to world-leading research groups addressing significant major research challenges. EPSRC programme grants are critical mass investments which bring together the expertise of a team of internationally recognised scientists or engineers to focus on one strategic research theme, covering a diverse engineering and physical sciences portfolio. The grants benefit UK research through the concentration of high-performing talent and provide flexibility to allocate resources between different projects and respond quickly to new challenges. These grants are designed to allow research teams to tackle bigger, more open-ended problems through a more coherent and holistic approach, build partnerships between universities, promote cross-disciplinary working, and provide freedom to conduct feasibility studies and build up new skill sets. They create greater visibility nationally and internationally, help bring in other researchers and attract more funding, and allow early career researchers to be given greater independence and responsibility to promote their career development.
AHRC responsive mode: standard research grant
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) standard research grant provides funding to support well-defined collaborative research projects across the arts and humanities. The program aims to enable arts and humanities researchers to establish or enhance effective working relationships with fellow researchers both within and beyond the arts and humanities, and within and beyond the UK, as well as practitioners and organizations who may benefit from their research. Applications must include a project lead and at least one project co-lead jointly involved in the development and management of the project and co-authored research outputs. The funding supports projects with full economic costs between £300,000 and £1.5 million, with AHRC funding 80% of FEC. Awards can last up to five years and must be based at UK research organizations eligible for AHRC funding. The program provides opportunities for less experienced researchers to develop their expertise and careers by working collaboratively with senior researchers on well-defined projects and by leading projects themselves. Projects should maximize the value of research outcomes by promoting their communication and dissemination with individuals and organizations outside academia.
AHRC responsive mode: collaborate with researchers in Luxembourg
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) in partnership with Fonds National de la Recherche (FNR) invites collaborative research grant applications from UK and Luxembourg researchers. This funding opportunity enables arts and humanities researchers to establish or enhance effective working relationships with fellow researchers in Luxembourg, supporting well-defined collaborative research projects within the remit of AHRC and FNR. The program operates under a lead agency agreement where UKRI receives and assesses joint applications on behalf of both organizations. Projects may include elements spanning different research areas, disciplines, and sectors, with the expectation that the arts and humanities element leads in shaping research questions and methods. UK researchers must be based at AHRC-eligible organizations, while Luxembourg researchers must be affiliated with FNR-eligible institutions including public research centres, the University of Luxembourg, and authorized public bodies. The collaboration aims to maximize research value through effective communication, dissemination, and knowledge transfer to both academic and non-academic contexts.
AHRC responsive mode: working with Brazilian researchers
This funding opportunity supports collaborative research grants between UK-based researchers and Brazilian researchers based in the State of São Paulo. The program is governed by an agreement between UKRI and the State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), allowing eligible arts and humanities researchers to establish or enhance effective working relationships with fellow researchers both within and beyond the UK. Projects should be well-defined collaborative research initiatives that may involve single or multiple institutions, researchers from different disciplines, and can include elements of individual research if they add value. The collaborative work must fall within the remit of AHRC and FAPESP, with UK elements funded by AHRC at 80% FEC (between £300,000 and £1.5 million) and Brazilian elements funded by FAPESP. Applications are assessed through a lead agency agreement where UKRI receives and assesses joint applications on behalf of both organizations. The maximum project duration is five years, and this is a rolling opportunity with no specific deadline, allowing researchers to submit applications when ready.
AHRC responsive mode: UKRI NSF-SBE lead agency
This funding opportunity supports collaborative research between UK-based researchers and US-based researchers through a lead agency agreement between UKRI and the US National Science Foundation, Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences Directorate (NSF-SBE). Applications must fall within the remit of both the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and NSF-SBE. The program enables arts and humanities researchers to establish or enhance effective working relationships with fellow researchers both within and beyond the UK, as well as with practitioners and organisations who may benefit from their research. Projects should be well-defined collaborative research initiatives that may involve single or multiple institutions, researchers from different disciplines, and international partners. The full economic cost of the UK-hosted element must be between £300,000 and £1.5 million, with AHRC funding 80% of FEC. Awards can last up to five years and are designed to maximize the value of research outcomes through effective communication and dissemination.
Mathematical Sciences Open and Open Plus Fellowship
The Mathematical Sciences Open and Open Plus Fellowship is a personal, career development focused award offered by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). These prestigious fellowships support ambitious and talented researchers and technical professionals who wish to develop, expand or establish a programme of research in mathematical sciences. Fellowships can be up to five years long and may be held part time. Applicants must have either a PhD and some years of additional research experience, or more than four years' experience in a relevant field by the start of the fellowship. The fellowship must focus on research where the majority of the research novelty lies within EPSRC's mathematical sciences remit. Open plus fellowships have an additional focus on enhancing the research environment and culture, where fellows allocate 20% to 50% of their time to create positive change in the research community by championing topics such as equality, diversity and inclusion, responsible research and innovation, public engagement, or policy aspects of their research. Fellows must be hosted and supported by an eligible UK research organisation during their fellowship.
AHRC responsive mode: catalyst awards
Catalyst awards support researchers without prior experience of leading a significant research project to accelerate their trajectory as independent researchers, unlocking their potential and building leadership and convenor experience through the delivery of ambitious or complex projects. The scheme takes a people-centred approach with funding available to support the development of researchers and their research ideas. It is flexible, and applications are welcomed from teams, networks and solo researchers. Development is at the core of this scheme. Projects must clearly articulate how the funding will contribute to the development of all those involved through the way that the project has been designed and will be managed, with appropriate support structures in place. Projects can be single discipline, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary. The majority of the disciplinary focus of the project must fall within the AHRC's subject remit. Practice-based and practice-led research is supported by this scheme. Partnerships and collaboration are supported, and applicants should outline how this collaboration contributes to career development and the development of project team members.
AHRC responsive mode: Curiosity Award
The AHRC Curiosity Award provides flexible funding to support early-stage ambitious and novel fundamental research in arts and humanities which has the potential to act as a springboard towards new and exciting research agendas. The funding opportunity celebrates the full diversity of the arts and humanities and is intentionally flexible, welcoming applications from teams, networks, and solo researchers. Projects can be single discipline, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary, with the majority of the disciplinary focus falling within AHRC's subject remit. The awards support activities including idea generation, seed corn funding, high risk and high potential concepts, novel research, networking activity, partnership building, knowledge exchange, public engagement, international collaboration, scoping and piloting, pivots in research focus at any career stage, and mentoring for members of the research team. Applications are welcomed from researchers across all career stages, from early career to established researchers.
Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship is a personal, career development focused award offered by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). This early career fellowship is designed for researchers who have recently started formulating their own research ideas and have not previously held significant funding. The fellowship supports ambitious and talented researchers who wish to develop, expand or establish a programme of research where the majority of the research novelty lies within mathematical sciences. Fellows must be hosted and supported by an eligible UK research organisation during their fellowship. The fellowship provides up to three years of funding and can be held part-time with proportional extension up to six years. It offers flexibility to design a programme around individual needs, with freedom to create a package that fits career ambitions, research needs, and personal and professional development requirements. Successful fellowships can include elements of community engagement and advocacy, research leadership, and drive positive change in the research environment. The scheme is committed to supporting excellent responsive, discovery-led research and follows principles of equality, diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from diverse backgrounds including those with non-standard career paths or returning after career breaks.
EPSRC Programme grant full proposal
Programme grants provide flexible funding to world-leading research groups addressing significant major research challenges. Funding should bring together a team of internationally recognised scientists or engineers to focus on one strategic research theme. EPSRC sees programme grants as critical mass investments, which cover a diverse engineering and physical sciences portfolio. They benefit UK research through the concentration of high-performing talent. This funding opportunity is only for invited applicants who have successfully completed an outline application. Programme grants are not just large grants, they must be strategic in nature. They allow world-leading researchers to tackle bigger, more open-ended problems through a coherent and holistic approach. The grants provide freedom to conduct feasibility studies, cross-fertilise ideas, build up new skill sets, and create greater visibility nationally and internationally. They help bring in other researchers, attract more funding, promote UK science, and allow early career researchers in the team to be given greater independence and responsibility.
Statements of Need in Research Infrastructure
EPSRC wishes to understand the scale, range, nature, and scientific value of potential large-scale infrastructure investments in the UK to help inform future decision-making. Representatives of relevant scientific communities are invited to submit statements of need for infrastructure (including facilities) that would be of strategic importance to their research (typically £5 million+). This can be physical or digital research infrastructure. No funding is directly associated with this opportunity. Statements of need received will be prioritised by an internal EPSRC panel according to their relative value to research and innovation in the UK in the context of wider UKRI and government strategies. Should any appropriate high priority statements of need be submitted, EPSRC may provide advice on potential funding options and next steps, though this outcome is not guaranteed. Applications should demonstrate how the proposed infrastructure would help the relevant scientific community remain at the forefront of international research, move beyond the state of the art, or increase capacity for research in the UK. The infrastructure requirement should reflect the needs of the whole community with evidence of wide-scale consultation with relevant groups.
UK International Ocean Drilling Programme moratorium awards
This funding opportunity provides support for UK-based researchers who have been invited to participate as members of science teams for IODP3 (International Ocean Drilling Programme) drilling expeditions or SPARC (Scientific Projects using ocean drilling ARChives) projects. The awards enable participants to undertake research associated with these expeditions during the post-cruise moratorium period or within the IODP3 funding period of a SPARC project. Funding is available for up to 24 months and varies by career stage and role, with co-chief scientists eligible for the highest amounts. The research must align with the 2050 Science Framework objectives, which focus on understanding Earth's complex systems through ocean drilling, including habitability and life, oceanic plate tectonics, climate systems, Earth system feedbacks, tipping points in Earth history, global cycles of energy and matter, and natural hazards. Applications are by invitation only following selection to be a member of science teams, and funding covers research activities, travel, subsistence, and expedition-related costs but excludes equipment over £25,000 and PhD studentship costs.
BBSRC Brazil pump-priming award (FAPPA)
The FAPPA pump-priming awards are jointly funded by BBSRC and FAPESP to support BBSRC-funded researchers and consortia in establishing and strengthening collaborations with researchers in São Paulo, Brazil. The awards are designed to pump-prime interactions between BBSRC-supported research groups and FAPESP scientists in Brazil, facilitating travel, collaborative activities, and preliminary research that can lead to future joint applications. Funding of up to £35,000 over two years is available to support travel, subsistence, collaborative activities such as workshops or exchanges, and a modest level of direct research costs including consumables and access to specialist equipment. The program aims to add value to existing BBSRC and FAPESP research, promote UK-Brazil collaboration, support future joint research development, and provide opportunities for early career scientist exchanges and skill development.
Projects Peer Review Panel (PPRP) 2026
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) provides research grant funding opportunities for large or complex projects that have significant scientific priority in particle physics, nuclear physics, astronomy, particle astrophysics, accelerator physics, and computing for PPAN Programme. This funding opportunity is reviewed through frequent Projects Peer Review Panel (PPRP) rounds and supports projects such as participating in new or developing existing high priority experiments or missions, developing new instruments or accelerator technologies, developing or upgrading detectors, purchasing or upgrading major high performance computing facilities, ongoing operation of existing facilities, and developing new initiatives in e-science including modelling and data management. Only invited applicants who have undergone a successful Statement of Interest (SoI) stage and have been approved by programme managers are eligible to submit a full proposal. STFC will fund 80% of the full economic cost (FEC) of approved projects, with the FEC determined and agreed with specific programme areas. The duration of awards is flexible based on project requirements, and funding amounts are determined by budget envelopes advised and agreed by the STFC programme manager.
Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR supercomputers: Rapid Access route
The Rapid Access route provides access to 20,000 GPU hours on the Isambard-AI and Dawn AI Research Resource (AIRR) supercomputers for UK-registered micro, small and medium businesses. This access route supports early-stage development of artificial intelligence (AI) products prior to market launch, aimed at start-ups and SMEs to allow them to conduct research and development activities at short notice and respond rapidly to market opportunities. Eligible research and development activities include feasibility studies, industrial research, and experimental development. The GPU hours must be used within three months of project start. No funding is available to successful applicants - this application process is purely for compute resource. While particularly keen to hear from projects contributing to government's five missions (growing economy, NHS, safer streets, opportunity for all, clean energy), this route is open to any eligible business.
Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR supercomputers: Gateway route
This access route is open to UK-based researchers from academia, industry, and other organisations. It provides flexible computational support for artificial intelligence (AI) related research and development projects, such as first-time users of AI supercomputing resources, testing of novel algorithms, code, and workflows, and benchmarking of algorithms, code, and workflows before applying for larger AI Research Resource (AIRR) opportunities. Each project can access 10,000 graphics processing unit (GPU) hours on the Isambard-AI and Dawn supercomputers, to be used within three months of project start. No funding is provided. The Gateway route is an open and flexible pathway to request computational resources for users across academia, commercial and individual research. Users should be looking to explore novel and developing areas of AI research, as well as supporting upskilling across a wide range of AI-relevant experience. Research topics include development of novel algorithms and software tools, exploring AI-assisted workflow, and AI-driven data collection, production, and synthesis.
Advanced materials: highlight notice
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is seeking to support applications through their standard research grant scheme in two critical areas of materials science. The first area focuses on advanced materials solutions for critical minerals, including the development of novel advanced materials that reduce or replace the need for critical minerals in existing systems, and approaches to working with impurities in materials design and fabrication. The second area addresses in-situ and in operando materials metrology and characterisation, supporting the development of real-time characterisation of materials during processing or use. This highlight notice supports the UK Industrial Strategy 2025 by driving innovation in advanced materials across key sectors including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, clean energy, digital technologies and defence. Applications should be predominantly within EPSRC remit and consider design, manufacture and scale-up where appropriate. There are no limits on grant value or project length, with EPSRC funding 80% of the full economic cost.
UK international ocean drilling programme site survey
This funding opportunity supports the development of excellent and innovative UK-led science applications for International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP3) expeditions by enabling detailed geophysical characterisation of proposed drilling sites. The aim is to maximise development of applications for drilling expeditions by enabling ship borne geophysical site surveys or virtual site surveys using existing data. Applicants must have submitted a proposal or pre-proposal for a drilling expedition to the IODP3 science office via the IODP3 Gateway system. The programme aligns with the 2050 Science Framework for ocean drilling, which presents seven strategic objectives covering habitability and life on Earth, the oceanic life cycle of tectonic plates, Earth's climate system, feedbacks in the Earth system, tipping points in Earth history, global cycles of energy and matter, and natural hazards impacting society. The funding encourages inclusion of early career researchers and supports lower-cost Mission Specific Platform expeditions. Applicants are encouraged to seek international or industrial partnership to support delivery and maximise synergies with relevant international projects and programmes. The programme aims to fund a minimum of two grants, with at least one supporting a lower-cost MSP drilling or coring proposal.
DRIVE35 Scale-up Fund
The DRIVE35 Scale-up Fund provides significant investment for UK registered organisations to establish scale-up manufacturing facilities specifically for zero emission vehicle technologies. This large-scale funding initiative aims to support the transition to zero emission vehicles by enabling businesses to create substantial manufacturing capabilities. The fund is delivered through Innovate UK in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade and Advanced Propulsion Centre UK. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed closing date, offering flexibility for organisations at various stages of readiness. Both single applicants and collaborative projects are eligible to apply for this transformational funding opportunity.
Focal awards: multilingual futures for UK growth and connectivity
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is offering doctoral focal awards to unlock linguistic and cultural expertise to build high-level skills, innovation capacity, and global connections that underpin the UK's growth and prosperity. This opportunity will support consortium-model doctoral training grants in languages research. AHRC will support up to 20 studentships per award over four cohorts, with the first cohort starting in October 2028. The awards aim to deliver world-class doctoral training, provide opportunities for diverse career paths, support research capacity in strategic areas, address underrepresentation in the AHRC-funded doctoral community, and enhance collaboration within academia and between academia and other sectors. Each proposal must outline approaches to doctoral training, professional development, and increasing representation of students from underrepresented groups. Applications must involve a minimum of two higher education institutions and one partner beyond academia. The opportunity responds to evidence of declining capacity in language-grounded disciplines and seeks to enable UK growth and renew UK leadership in multilingual, globally connected research.
Metascience Research Grants Round 2
This funding opportunity aims to accelerate the generation of evidence on how we can improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and inclusivity of the research and development (R&D) ecosystem. The programme supports innovative and ambitious metascience research projects that use scientific methods to deepen understanding of how different incentives, institutional structures, and funding practices within the R&D system influence scientific research outputs and career outcomes. This round focuses on three key themes: the Science of AI for Science (examining how AI adoption is changing the research landscape), effective design and leadership of research organisations, and scientometric approaches to understanding research excellence, efficiency, and equity. The funding opportunity supports empirical and/or theoretical research focused on generating actionable insights for decision makers, including those in government, funding bodies, and research organisations. Collaborative research with UK and international organisations is strongly encouraged, and the programme welcomes applications from diverse groups of researchers at any career stage.
MRC: partnership grant: applicant-led
The Medical Research Council (MRC) Partnership Grant supports novel collaborative activities between teams of researchers, with interdisciplinarity encouraged where appropriate. The grant allows researchers to establish novel high-value collaborative activities or capabilities, add value to high-quality research activities supported by existing funding, or underpin future funding within MRC's remit and build capacity in areas of unmet need. Funding is available for partnerships lasting between 18 months and five years. The program supports team-science approaches and interdisciplinary partnerships that transform understanding of human health and disease, accelerate diagnosis, advance treatment, and prevent human illness. Collaborative activities can include networking and partnership activities, infrastructure support, platform activities such as specialist data and software platforms, training and career development, and capacity building in areas of unmet need.
Future Leaders Fellowship: round 11
The Future Leaders Fellowship supports ambitious research and innovation across UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)'s remit. This funding opportunity is designed for early career researchers or innovators who are either looking to establish or transition to independence, or developing their own original and ambitious plans within a commercial setting. Applicants must be based at, and have the support of, a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding. UKRI will fund 80% of the full economic cost (FEC) with no minimum or maximum project cost specified. The fellowship provides substantial support to help talented individuals develop their research and innovation careers. Academic applicants will apply through the UKRI Funding Service, while non-academic applicants will use the Innovate Funding Service (IFS).
Commercialising Knowledge Assets Fund (CKAF) Spring
The Commercialising Knowledge Assets Fund (CKAF) Spring provides grants to UK registered government research organisations to move viable public sector knowledge assets towards commercial readiness. This funding is provided by the Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) and supports the commercialisation of research and innovation assets developed within the public sector. The programme aims to bridge the gap between public sector research and commercial application, enabling research organisations to develop their knowledge assets to a stage where they can be licensed, spun out, or otherwise commercialised. Eligible organisations include Public Sector Research Establishments (PSREs), UKRI wholly owned institutes, and other public sector bodies that undertake research as a primary function.
Pushing the Frontiers of Environmental Science 2026
Pushing the Frontiers supports researchers' curiosity and imagination to enable discoveries that unlock new knowledge with a degree of adventure previously unrealised. This funding opportunity seeks to invest in the best environmental researchers to be truly adventurous and ambitious in the pursuit of curiosity-driven, high-reward projects, which may or may not involve substantial risk. Applications are welcomed from individuals at any career stage and from research groups. The scheme supports pure, applied, technology-led or policy driven research that addresses, or provides the means to address, clearly defined environmental research questions. Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research, designed, supported and delivered in partnership with other research funders and research users, is particularly welcomed. Research must sit predominantly within NERC's research areas. From early 2026, this scheme is transitioning to an always-open funding opportunity with no closing dates, allowing applicants to submit at any time throughout the year. Applications will be assessed by expert review, with those meeting a quality threshold proceeding to moderation panel. This change aligns with UKRI's approach to delivering applicant-led responsive funding opportunities while maintaining the same budget and commitment to funding adventurous, high-reward curiosity-driven environmental research. The full economic cost of projects can be up to £950,000, with NERC funding 80% of the FEC (up to £760,000). There is no defined project duration, but awards are typically between three and four years.
At a Glance
- Total Funding Opportunities
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- Active Now
- 61
- Source Domain
- ukri.org
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