Overall Description

Future Computing Paradigms Network Plus is an EPSRC funding opportunity supporting the creation of a five-year, multidisciplinary UK Network Plus focused on transformative approaches to future computing. EPSRC will provide £2.24 million (80% of £2.8 million FEC) to one network.

The network will develop a coherent, whole-systems UK vision for future computing, looking beyond current and emerging technologies toward potentially disruptive computing paradigms over a 5–20 year horizon. It will identify UK strengths, gaps, sovereign capabilities, skills needs and opportunities for international collaboration, while helping EPSRC and government shape future research priorities, policy and investment.

The award consists of two phases: an initial 18-month evidence-gathering, benchmarking and horizon-scanning phase, followed by a 42-month networking and community-building phase.

Funding Amount

• Total funding available: £2.8 million FEC;
• Maximum project FEC: £2.8 million;
• EPSRC contribution: £2.24 million;
• Funding rate: 80% FEC;
• Institutional contribution: Standard remaining 20% FEC;
• Project duration: 5 years (60 months);
• Number of expected awards: Effectively one Network Plus at the maximum available funding;
• Flexible funding: Optional, including small pilot/seed activities;
• Equipment: Not funded;
• Additional matched funding: Not required beyond standard 20% FEC.

Submission Deadlines

• Opening: 3 August 2026 at 09:00 UK time;
• Expression of Interest deadline: 11 September 2026;
• Full application deadline: 13 October 2026 at 16:00 UK time;
• Project start: Between 1 April and 30 June 2027.

Important: Submission of an Expression of Interest (EoI) is mandatory to be eligible to submit a full application.

Submission Conditions

Projects must:

• Submit a mandatory Expression of Interest by 11 September 2026;
• Apply through the UKRI Funding Service;
• Be led by an eligible UK research organisation;
• Last 60 months;
• Start between 1 April and 30 June 2027;
• Include both the 18-month evidence phase and 42-month network phase;
• Take a broad, multidisciplinary and whole-systems approach;
• Engage academia, industry, government and wider stakeholders;
• Establish robust and transparent governance and advisory structures;
• Employ a dedicated grant manager;
• Engage with EPSRC, UKRI, government and National Security and Defence stakeholders throughout the award.

Due to the potential dual-use nature of outputs, successful applicants may also be required to undergo appropriate checks for engagement with national security and defence stakeholders.

Eligible Types Of Applicants

Project lead:

• Must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding;
• Standard UKRI individual eligibility rules apply;
• Only one project lead can be named.

The core team can include:

• Project co-leads (UK);
• Research technical professionals;
• Research and innovation strategy professionals;
• Specialists;
• Grant manager;
• Professional enabling staff;
• Project co-lead (international), where specifically eligible.

Eligible Countries

• Lead organisation: United Kingdom;
• UK project co-leads: Permitted at eligible organisations;
• Norway: Researchers may participate as funded international project co-leads under the UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation agreement;
• Other countries: International researchers may participate as project partners, but cannot be funded international project co-leads under this opportunity;
• International engagement and benchmarking are expected as part of the network's activities.