Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) / UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) United Kingdom
2026
Information
The EPSRC New Investigator Award (applicant-led mode) is a research grant to support early-career researchers' transition to independent research leadership. Awards fund projects hosted at EPSRC-eligible UK research organisations and enable the project lead to develop an independent research vision and lead a project team. EPSRC will award 80% of the full economic cost (FEC) of the project. Projects should apply for the duration and funding required to fully meet their research goals.
Benefits
Research grant funding covering 80% of full economic costs, support for establishing an independent research programme and leading a project team.
Eligibility
Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding and this must be their first application to EPSRC as project lead. Applicants should consider themselves early-career individuals who have capacity to use the funds to transition to independence; they must not previously have been project lead on a single award valued over £175,000 FEC (or GBP equivalent) and must meet UKRI’s individual eligibility policy to hold research grants.
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