# Programme Grant

**Funder:** EPSRC
**Budget:** 80% of full economic costs
**Consortium:** Optional — collaborative and interdisciplinary proposals encouraged but single-discipline proposals also accepted
**Application:** Multi-stage: pre-outline → outline → invited full proposal → interview
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/councils/epsrc/guidance-for-applicants/types-of-funding-we-offer/programme-grants/
**Last updated:** 25 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Flexible funding for world-leading UK research groups tackling significant, strategic research challenges across EPSRC remit. Open to UK higher education institutions, research council institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations, PSREs and NHS bodies; applicants must be UK-resident at lecturer level or equivalent. Co-investigators can be based in Norway under the UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation Agreement.

## Summary

The EPSRC Programme Grant funds flexible, large-scale research by UK groups tackling significant strategic challenges across the EPSRC remit, covering 80% of full economic costs. It is open to UK higher education institutions, research council institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations, PSREs and NHS bodies, with applicants required to hold a lecturer-level post or equivalent and be UK-resident. Co-investigators can be based in Norway under the UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation Agreement, and both single-discipline and collaborative interdisciplinary proposals are accepted.

## Who should apply

- Researchers at lecturer level or equivalent, UK-resident
- UK higher education institutions, research council institutes, PSREs, UKRI-approved independent research organisations and NHS bodies
- Research groups proposing large, strategic programmes of work across EPSRC's remit
- Teams open to single-discipline or collaborative interdisciplinary proposals
- Projects wishing to include Norway-based co-investigators under the UKRI-RCN agreement

## Key dates

- Rolling deadline: pre-outline proposals accepted anytime
- Outline panels convene in January or February, May and September
- Multi-stage process: pre-outline, outline, invited full proposal, then interview

## Tips for applicants

- Use the pre-outline stage to test strategic fit with EPSRC priorities before committing to a full outline submission.
- Only applicants invited after the outline stage proceed to full proposal, so the outline case for support must make the strategic significance and scale explicit.
- If including Norwegian co-investigators, reference the UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation Agreement explicitly in the proposal to justify the arrangement.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the EPSRC Programme Grant pay?

It covers 80% of full economic costs, with no fixed budget cap stated.

### What is the deadline for the EPSRC Programme Grant?

There is a rolling deadline: pre-outline proposals can be submitted anytime, with outline panels held in January or February, May and September.

### Who is eligible for the EPSRC Programme Grant?

UK-resident researchers at lecturer level or equivalent, based at UK higher education institutions, research council institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations, PSREs or NHS bodies.

### Is a consortium required for the EPSRC Programme Grant?

No, collaborative and interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged but single-discipline proposals are also accepted.

### How many stages does the EPSRC Programme Grant application have?

Four stages: pre-outline, outline, invited full proposal, and interview.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/epsrc-programme-grant-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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