EPSRC programme grant

Programme grants provide flexible funding to world-leading UK research groups addressing significant research challenges.

You must first go through a pre-outline and outline stage before being invited to make a full application.

We will award 80% of the full economic costs of the project, and your organisation(s) must agree to find the balance.

Programme grants are open to UK higher education institutions, research council institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations, public sector research establishments and NHS bodies with research capacity.

Find out more about institutional eligibility.

You should be part of a team of world-leading researchers working together on a variety of activities focused on a strategic research theme.

You can apply if you are resident in the UK and meet at least one of these criteria:

• are employed at the submitting research organisation at lecturer level or equivalent
• hold a fixed-term contract that extends beyond the duration of the proposed research project, and the host research organisation is prepared to give you all the support normal for a permanent employee
• hold an EPSRC, Royal Society or Royal Academy of Engineering fellowship aimed at later career stages
• hold fellowships under other schemes (please contact EPSRC to check eligibility, which is considered on a case-by-case basis)

Holders of postdoctoral level fellowships are not eligible to apply for an EPSRC grant.

Clinical applicants must be employed or be on a fixed-term contract longer than the proposed project at an NHS trust, hospital, board, primary care trust or general practice