Funding opportunity: EPSRC open fellowships Dec 2023: responsive mode
Opportunity status: Closed Funders: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Funding type: Fellowship Publication date: 7 December 2023 Opening date: 7 December 2023 9:00am UK time Closing date: 12 December 2024 4:00pm UK time
Last updated: 9 June 2026 - see all updates
We closed our Open and OpenPlus Fellowship opportunities in December 2024, with no plans to reopen.
These are personal, career development focused awards.
You must have either a PhD plus some years of research experience, or >4 years relevant experience by fellowship start. You must be hosted by an eligible UK research organisation.
Fellowship length up to five years, part‑time possible; focuses on discovery science, innovation, instrumentation/technique development, or software engineering.
Who can apply
Eligibility: PhD or ≥4 years relevant experience by start; open to all career stages beyond postdoc; must be hosted by an eligible UK organisation.
Open fellowships welcome non‑standard career paths and returns after breaks.
Research organisations
Organisations must select inclusively, support candidates, and detail additional support they will provide.
Resubmissions
No uninvited resubmissions of previously submitted projects.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Commitment to equal opportunity; support career breaks, caring responsibilities, flexible/alternative working patterns.
What we're looking for
Aim
Support excellent responsive, discovery‑led research per EPSRC’s Strategic Delivery Plan 2022‑2025. Fellowships are prestigious individual awards for ambitious researchers to develop, expand or establish research programmes.
Fellowships may include community engagement, advocacy, research leadership, and positive change.
You could apply if you have significant funding, lead in technical development, have a up‑to‑five‑year high‑quality plan, can deliver the proposal, advocate for EPSRC, and have identified training/development needs.
Majority of research must fall within EPSRC remit.
Critical technologies
EPSRC welcomes high‑quality work in AI, engineering biology, future telecommunications, semiconductors, quantum technologies, provided it complements existing funding and UKRI strategies.
Applications assessed on scientific/engineering merit; cross‑council boundary proposals discussed with relevant councils.
Duration
Up to five years; part‑time at ≥50% FTE can extend to max 10 years; otherwise fixed at five years.
Funding available
No limit on grant value; EPSRC funds 80% of full economic cost (FEC).
What we will fund
Staff costs, equipment (≤£400k per item), other project items, impact‑related costs, travel and subsistence.
Supporting skills and talent
Follow Concordat to Support Career Development of Researchers and Technician Commitment.
International collaboration
For international applicants/partners, see UKRI Trusted Research and Innovation.
How to apply
Important: closes 12 Dec 2024. Applications submitted via new Funding Service (not Je‑S).
Steps:
- Confirm you are project lead.
- Sign‑in/create Funding Service account (email support@funding-service.ukri.org if org not listed).
- Fill text‑box answers; save/upload docs as instructed.
- Send to research office for check.
- Office submits to UKRI.
See guidance on how applicants and research offices use the Funding Service; no amendment returns.
Personal data
EPSRC/UKRI processes personal data per UK law; see privacy notice. Outcomes published; successful applicants’ info may appear on UKRI Gateway to Research.
Summary
Max 550 words plain English summary for assessor selection; may be public.
Guidance for writing a summary
Describe context, challenge, aims/objectives, potential applications/benefits.
Core team
Roles: fellow, project co‑lead (UK) (PcL), specialist, grant manager, professional enabling staff, research & innovation associate, technician, visiting researcher. Only one fellow allowed.
Application questions
- Thematic area alignment (choose A‑J, add “1” for critical technologies).
- Fellowship focus areas (choose A‑D).
- Vision and Approach (≤6 sides A4, plus 1‑page workplan; PDF ≤8 MB).
- Applicant & team capability (2 500 words, using R4RI).
- Additions (optional ≤500 words).
- Personal aspirations & continued professional development (≤500 words).
- Team & community leadership (≤500 words).
- Research organisation support (≤500 words).
- References (≤1 000 words, no hyperlinks).
- Project partners (details, letters of support PDF ≤8 MB).
- Facilities (≤250 words)