• International collaborators: Permitted as project partners;
• International project co-leads: Generally not supported under this opportunity; specifically, the UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation Agreement does not apply, so Norway-based project co-leads (international) cannot be included.

Funding Amount

• Funding rate: 80% of full economic cost (FEC);
• Maximum project funding: No limit specified;
• Institutional contribution: Standard remaining 20% FEC;
• Typical project duration: 1–3 years;
• Maximum duration: No formal limit;
• Matched funding: No additional institutional matched funding required beyond the standard 20% FEC.

Eligible costs include:

• Staff
• Equipment (£25,000–£400,000 per item)
• Impact-related costs
• Travel and subsistence
• Other justified project costs.
• Doctoral studentships, publication costs and bridge funding are not eligible.

Submission Deadlines

• Opening: 5 August 2026 at 09:00 UK time;
• Application deadline: Open – no closing date;
• Applications are batched and processed regularly;
• Applicants should submit once their application is ready rather than waiting for the system-generated closing date.

Submission Conditions

Applications must:

• Be submitted through the UKRI Funding Service;
• Be the applicant's first application to EPSRC as project lead, subject to specified exceptions;
• Be led by an applicant who considers themselves an early-career researcher transitioning to independence;
• Be hosted by an eligible UK research organisation;
• Have the majority of research within the EPSRC remit;
• Demonstrate a clear independent research vision;
• Include appropriate institutional support for the applicant's career development.

Applicants generally must not have:

• Previously applied to an EPSRC New Investigator Award;
• Led a single grant/project worth more than £175,000 FEC;
• Supervised postdoctoral staff for more than 12 months cumulatively;
• Previously held a comparable award supporting early independence and leadership;
• Already demonstrated sustained research independence inconsistent with the scheme's purpose.

There are specific exceptions to some of these rules, including certain previous fellowships, travel/workshop grants and participation as a project co-lead rather than project lead.

Eligible Types of Applicants

Project lead:

• Early-career researcher transitioning toward research independence;
• Must be resident in the UK;
• Must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding;
• Must meet UKRI's individual eligibility requirements;
• Normally making their first EPSRC application as project lead.

Eligibility is based primarily on the applicant's funding and leadership history, rather than years since PhD or job title.

Applicants on fixed-term contracts can apply, provided their contract lasts at least until the grant ends and the host organisation provides appropriate support.

Eligible Countries

• Applicant: Must be resident in the United Kingdom;
• Lead organisation: Must be an eligible UK research organisation;
• International collaborators: Permitted as project partners;
• International project co-leads: Generally not supported under this opportunity; specifically, the UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation Agreement does not apply, so Norway-based project co-leads (international) cannot be included.