# Materials 4.0 Challenge-led Scoping Sandpit: Digital Materials for Accelerated Innovation **Funder:** EPSRC **Budget:** Up to £7.12 million **Deadline:** 26 November 2026 (16:00 UK time; EOI stage - full applications expected week of 22 March 2027) **Duration:** Up to 33 months **Consortium:** Required - collaborative project teams formed at the sandpit, with a signed collaborative agreement between partners before grant start; industry partners may join but are not eligible for EPSRC funding **Application:** 2-stage: expression of interest/sandpit attendance → invited full application post-sandpit **Frequency:** One-off **Eligible countries:** GB **Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/nmip-sandpit-digital-materials-for-accelerated-innovation/ **Last updated:** 1 Nov 2026 ## Eligibility & scope Four-day residential sandpit (in-person 1-4 February 2027, Cheshire, UK) to develop collaborative research projects on digital integration for materials research translation (Materials 4.0). Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding; industry partners may attend but cannot receive EPSRC funding. EPSRC funds 80% of full economic cost; host institution funds remaining 20%. ## Summary The Materials 4.0 Challenge-led Scoping Sandpit is a one-off EPSRC call funding up to £7.12 million for collaborative research projects on digital integration in materials science, developed through a four-day residential sandpit in Cheshire. Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding, with projects lasting up to 33 months and industry partners welcome to attend but not to receive EPSRC funds. EPSRC covers 80% of full economic cost, with the host institution funding the remaining 20%. ## Who should apply - Researchers based at UK organisations eligible for EPSRC funding - Materials scientists and engineers working on digital integration for research translation - Teams willing to attend a four-day in-person residential sandpit in Cheshire - Industry partners interested in joining as non-funded collaborators - Applicants able to secure institutional co-funding for the 20% non-EPSRC share ## Key dates - Expression of interest deadline 26 November 2026, 16:00 UK time - Four-day residential sandpit 1-4 February 2027 in Cheshire, UK - Invited full applications expected week of 22 March 2027; projects run up to 33 months ## Tips for applicants - Collaborative project teams are formed during the sandpit itself, so the EOI stage should emphasise flexibility and openness to team formation rather than a fully worked-out consortium. - Attendance at the four-day residential sandpit is mandatory to progress, so confirm availability for 1-4 February 2027 before submitting an EOI. - Secure early institutional commitment to the 20% co-funding share, since EPSRC only covers 80% of full economic cost. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much funding is available for the Materials 4.0 Sandpit? Up to £7.12 million is available across projects developed at the sandpit, with EPSRC covering 80% of full economic cost. ### Who can apply to the EPSRC Materials 4.0 Sandpit? Researchers based at UK organisations eligible for EPSRC funding can apply; industry partners may join project teams but cannot receive EPSRC funding. ### What is the application process for this sandpit? It is a two-stage process: an expression of interest and sandpit attendance, followed by an invited full application after the event. ### How long can a Materials 4.0 project run? Projects developed at the sandpit can run for up to 33 months. ### Is a consortium required for this call? Yes, collaborative project teams are formed at the sandpit and must sign a collaborative agreement between partners before the grant starts. --- Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/epsrc-materials-4-0-challenge-led-scoping-sandpit-digita-2026-11) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying. **See which EU calls match your profile.** [Preview your matches in 30 seconds, no signup](https://grantsby.eu/demo?ref=llm_grant_md&grant=epsrc-materials-4-0-challenge-led-scoping-sandpit-digita-2026-11).