APEX Awards
Forecasted
APEX Awards support established independent researchers pursuing collaborative, curiosity-driven research across disciplinary boundaries to advance fundamental understanding and benefit wider society.
Funder: Royal Academy of Engineering
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to £200,000 for up to 24 months, including up to £10,000 for public engagement
Summary: Seed funding for established independent researchers pursuing collaborative, curiosity-driven research across disciplinary boundaries to benefit wider society.
Key Information: Applicants must have teaching and administrative duties to buy out, and projects must span more than one Academy’s remit.
Description
The APEX Awards (Academies Partnership in Supporting Excellence in Cross-disciplinary research) are a partnership between the Royal Academy of Engineering, the British Academy and the Royal Society, supported by the Leverhulme Trust. The Royal Society administers applications and awards on behalf of the three Academies. The scheme supports established independent researchers with strong track records and proven ability to lead collaborative work.
APEX provides seed funding for outstanding, curiosity-driven research unlikely to receive support through conventional funding programmes. It particularly encourages collaboration at the boundaries of science, engineering, social sciences and humanities. Projects should integrate knowledge, perspectives, data, techniques or tools from multiple disciplines to advance fundamental understanding or address problems beyond a single field, helping researchers develop innovative new directions with partners from other disciplines.
