EPSRC working with overseas scientists

You can apply to work with overseas researchers in Ireland, Luxembourg, Brazil and the United States if you are a researcher at UK higher education institutions, research council institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations and NHS bodies.

The fields you can work in and the application processes are governed by agreements between UKRI and sister agencies in Ireland, Luxembourg, Brazil, and the United States.

You first have to submit an expression of interest by completing an online form. We will award 80% of the full economic costs of the project, and your organisation must agree to find the balance. Your overseas partners are funded by the relevant overseas agency.

If you wish to work with researchers supported by Science Foundation Ireland, the Fonds National de la Recherche in Luxembourg, and the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) in Brazil, you can work across our remit.

Find out more about working with researchers in:

• Ireland
• Luxembourg
• São Paulo, Brazil.

If you wish to work with scientists funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the United States, you can only carry out research in engineering, manufacturing the future, mathematical sciences, and information and communication technologies.

Find out more about working with researchers in the United States.

We support excellent research in:

• digital economy
• energy
• engineering
• global uncertainties
• healthcare technologies (see our dedicated healthcare technologies investigator-led grant)
• information and communication technologies
• living with environmental change
• manufacturing the future
• mathematical sciences
• physical sciences
• quantum technologies
• research infrastructure.

Find out more about our research areas and themes.

We fund a wide range of projects. The scale and scope of what you can do will vary according to the agreements.

You will first be asked to express an interest so we and our sister agencies can check whether your proposal fits the remit and any eligibility criteria.

We will fund 80% of the full economic costs of your project. You may request funding for staff costs, equipment and other items required to carry out the project, costs related to impact, and travel and subsistence.

Research 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 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.

Find out more about individual eligibility.

Your overseas partners must meet the eligibility criteria of their relevant funding agency.

We will not accept uninvited resubmissions of projects that have been submitted to UKRI or any other funder.

This funding opportunity is also subject to our policy on repeatedly unsuccessful submissions.