# Strategic Equipment Grant

**Funder:** EPSRC
**Budget:** £400k minimum (100% FEC for capital equipment; 80% FEC for non-capital costs)
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** 2-stage: outline business case (2-page, via Je-S) → full proposal with peer review and panel interview
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/strategic-equipment-grant/
**Last verified:** 29 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Open to researchers at UK HEIs, research council institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations, Public Sector Research Establishments, and NHS bodies. Applicants must be resident in the UK and hold at least lecturer-level employment or equivalent. Funds strategic equipment worth £400k+ that improves UK scientific capability; equipment-sharing across departments/institutions is required. Norway-based co-investigators are not permitted.

## Summary

The EPSRC Strategic Equipment Grant funds major research equipment (£400,000+) to strengthen UK scientific infrastructure, open to researchers at lecturer level or equivalent in UK higher education institutions and UKRI-approved research bodies. The call runs on rolling deadlines throughout the year via Je-S, with a two-stage process: a 2-page outline business case followed by full proposal review and panel interview. Equipment-sharing arrangements across departments or institutions are required, ensuring facility access beyond the host team.

## Who should apply

- Lecturer-level and equivalent researchers UK-resident at eligible UK institutions
- Research groups with a clear plan to share equipment across departments or external partners
- Projects centred on capital equipment (100% FEC) or mixed equipment/infrastructure bundles
- Researchers at UK higher education institutions, research council institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations, PSREs, and NHS bodies

## Key dates

- Rolling deadline throughout the year; submit outline business case via Je-S
- Two-stage process: 2-page outline business case → full proposal with peer review and panel interview

## Tips for applicants

- The outline business case is your entry gate, focus on strategic fit and UK capability gain, not technical detail; keep to 2 pages.
- Equipment-sharing is not optional: demonstrate a credible plan for access beyond your immediate team (cross-department or inter-institutional partnerships strengthen your case).
- Full cost recovery is 100% for capital equipment but 80% for non-capital costs; cost your proposal to reflect this split clearly.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much can I request from the EPSRC Strategic Equipment Grant?

The minimum is £400,000; there is no stated upper limit. EPSRC funds capital equipment at 100% FEC and non-capital costs at 80% FEC.

### Who is eligible to apply for the EPSRC Strategic Equipment Grant?

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

### Is equipment-sharing mandatory in a Strategic Equipment Grant application?

Yes, applicants must demonstrate a plan for equipment-sharing across departments or institutions; sole-use proposals will not be competitive.

### What is the application process for the EPSRC Strategic Equipment Grant?

Submit a 2-page outline business case via Je-S; successful outlines progress to full proposal, peer review, and panel interview.

### When is the deadline for the EPSRC Strategic Equipment Grant?

The call has rolling deadlines throughout the year; check the EPSRC Funding Service for the next submission window.

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

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