# NMIP Sandpit: Digital Materials for Accelerated Innovation

**Funder:** EPSRC
**Consortium:** Optional — industry welcomed to attend sandpit as partners but cannot apply for funding
**Application:** Expression of interest (EOI) survey to attend sandpit → sandpit workshop develops project proposals → invited full application from recommended project leads
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/pre-announcement-nmip-sandpit-digital-materials-for-accelerated-innovation/
**Last updated:** 9 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Pre-announcement for a residential sandpit (3-5 days, expected Jan/Feb 2027) under the National Materials Innovation Programme, targeting digital approaches to accelerate materials research translation. Applicants must commit to attend the full in-person sandpit if shortlisted; businesses may attend but are not eligible for funding. Full application details will follow EOI survey launch.

## Summary

This is an EPSRC pre-announcement for a residential sandpit workshop under the National Materials Innovation Programme, focused on digital approaches to accelerate materials research translation. Researchers based in the UK who can commit to attending a 3-5 day in-person sandpit, expected in January or February 2027, should watch for the expression of interest survey. Only recommended project leads from the sandpit are invited to submit a full funding application; industry can join as partners but cannot receive funding directly.

## Who should apply

- UK-based researchers working on materials science or digital/computational research methods
- Researchers able to commit to a 3-5 day residential sandpit in January or February 2027
- Those developing project ideas on digital approaches to materials research translation
- Industry contacts wanting to partner with academic leads (attendance only, not direct funding)

## Key dates

- EOI survey to attend sandpit not yet open; residential sandpit expected January or February 2027
- Stages: EOI survey → in-person sandpit workshop develops project proposals → invited full application from recommended project leads
- Sandpit duration: 3-5 days, residential

## Tips for applicants

- Register interest as soon as the EOI survey opens; sandpit places are limited and allocated from EOI responses.
- Only commit if you can attend the entire 3-5 day residential sandpit in person, attendance is a precondition for consideration, not optional.
- If you want an industry partner involved, invite them to attend the sandpit directly, since businesses cannot apply for funding independently.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the NMIP Sandpit on Digital Materials for Accelerated Innovation?

It is a residential sandpit workshop, expected to run 3-5 days in January or February 2027, under EPSRC's National Materials Innovation Programme, focused on digital approaches to speed up materials research translation.

### How do I apply for the NMIP Digital Materials Sandpit?

You first complete an expression of interest (EOI) survey to attend the sandpit; the survey is not yet open.

### Can companies apply for funding through this sandpit?

No, businesses may attend the sandpit as partners but are not eligible to apply for funding themselves.

### Who can attend the NMIP sandpit if shortlisted?

Shortlisted applicants must commit to attending the full in-person residential sandpit, expected in January or February 2027.

### How many times will this sandpit call run?

It is a one-off call under the National Materials Innovation Programme, not a recurring funding round.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/epsrc-nmip-sandpit-digital-materials-for-accelerated-inn-2026) — 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-nmip-sandpit-digital-materials-for-accelerated-inn-2026).