# Strategic Infrastructure

**Funder:** EPSRC
**Budget:** Funding available for infrastructure items over £400,000; up to 100% FEC for capital costs, 80% FEC for non-capital costs; requests over £5M require EPSRC approval
**Duration:** Up to 36 months for Route one (extensions require approval); up to 2 years for Route two
**Consortium:** No - individual host institution applies; max 3 applications per institution per batching period
**Application:** Open continuous submission via UKRI Funding Service; Route two requires prior invitation/approval from EPSRC theme lead before applying
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/epsrc-strategic-infrastructure-outlines-september-2026/
**Last updated:** 18 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

UK strategic infrastructure funding for capital equipment (Route one, items over £400,000) or resources to maximise use of existing infrastructure (Route two, invitation-only). Open to UK host institutions only; research enabled must fall within EPSRC's remit.

## Summary

EPSRC's Strategic Infrastructure call funds large research equipment and infrastructure at UK institutions, covering items over £400,000 under Route one (up to 100% FEC capital costs) or resources to maximise use of existing infrastructure under Route two (invitation-only, up to 80% FEC). It is open continuously, with institutions applying individually rather than as consortia, and requests above £5M need separate EPSRC approval.

## Who should apply

- Research leaders at UK host institutions seeking capital equipment over £400,000 (Route one)
- Institutions invited by an EPSRC theme lead to apply for Route two infrastructure-use funding
- Projects whose enabled research falls within EPSRC's remit
- Institutions planning no more than 3 applications per batching period

## Key dates

- Rolling deadline; current batching period 2 runs January 2027 to end of April 2027
- Route one projects run up to 36 months (extensions require approval); Route two up to 2 years
- Continuous open submission via the UKRI Funding Service

## Tips for applicants

- Route two requires prior invitation or approval from an EPSRC theme lead, contact the relevant theme lead before drafting an application.
- Keep institutional applications within the 3-per-batching-period cap; coordinate internally to avoid exceeding it.
- Budget requests over £5M trigger additional EPSRC approval, so build in extra lead time for high-value capital bids.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does EPSRC Strategic Infrastructure funding provide?

It funds infrastructure items over £400,000, with up to 100% FEC for capital costs and 80% FEC for non-capital costs; requests above £5M need separate EPSRC approval.

### What is the difference between Route one and Route two?

Route one funds capital equipment items over £400,000, while Route two funds resources to maximise use of existing infrastructure and requires prior invitation or approval from an EPSRC theme lead.

### Is there a deadline for this EPSRC call?

It runs on a rolling, continuous submission basis, with the current batching period covering January 2027 to end of April 2027.

### Can multiple UK institutions apply together?

No, there is no consortium requirement, an individual host institution applies, with a limit of 3 applications per institution per batching period.

### Who is eligible to apply for EPSRC Strategic Infrastructure funding?

Only UK host institutions are eligible, and the research enabled by the infrastructure must fall within EPSRC's remit.

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

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