EPSRC new investigator award: applicant-led mode
EPSRC new investigator award: applicant-led mode supports early-career researchers with discovery-led research funding to develop an independent research vision, establish a group and build leadership.
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Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: Rolling (applications) | August 5, 2026, 9:00am UK time (opened)
Funding Amounts: 80% of full economic cost; no award-value or duration limit; typically one to three years
Summary: Supports early-career researchers developing an independent research vision, establishing a research group and building leadership within EPSRC’s remit.
Key Information: Must normally be your first EPSRC application as project lead; funding-history and postdoctoral-supervision limits apply.
Description
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, funds discovery-led research that helps early-career researchers transition to independence. The award supports a single research vision with clearly defined objectives and outcomes, rather than complex, multi-faceted projects. Applicants should develop their own research programme and lead a team, with clear support from their host organisation.
Research may address artificial intelligence, resilience and security, clean energy, engineering, healthcare technologies, information and communication technologies, sustainable manufacturing, mathematical sciences, physical sciences or quantum technologies. The majority of the research must fall within EPSRC’s remit. Projects should advance understanding or generate new knowledge, thinking or discovery, with potential benefits for research, society, the economy or the environment.
