# Translation Impact Acceleration – CHERI IKC

**Funder:** EPSRC
**Budget:** Up to £7,700,000 FEC (80% funded = up to £6,160,000); includes up to £2M flexible funding
**Duration:** 39 months (1 January 2027 – 31 March 2030)
**Consortium:** Required — single lead research organisation or multi-institution consortium with identified lead; significant industry partner integration mandatory
**Application:** Single stage (application via UKRI Funding Service)
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/ukri-translation-impact-acceleration-cheri-ikc/
**Last verified:** 8 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

One Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) award to drive commercialisation of CHERI memory-safe chipset architecture. Lead must be a UK research organisation (EPSRC standard eligibility); international researchers may only join as project co-lead (international) under UKRI-RCN or UKRI-IIASA agreements. Significant industry partner cash or in-kind leverage required. Proposals must raise CHERI TRL through demonstrators, prototypes, and sector engagement.

## Summary

The EPSRC Translation Impact Acceleration, CHERI IKC is a one-off Innovation and Knowledge Centre award of up to £7.7 million (80% funded) over 39 months to commercialise the CHERI memory-safe chipset architecture. The call targets UK research organisations leading a consortium with mandatory industry partnership to advance CHERI through demonstrators, prototypes, and sector engagement. International researchers may join as project co-leads under UKRI-RCN or IIASA agreements.

## Who should apply

- UK research organisations capable of leading a multi-institution or single-lead consortium
- Teams with significant industry partners committed to cash or in-kind investment
- Researchers working on CHERI memory-safe architecture or related security-critical systems
- Consortia with a clear pathway to demonstrators, prototypes, and technology transition

## Key dates

- Fixed project start: 1 January 2027
- Single-stage application via UKRI Funding Service
- 39-month duration (1 January 2027-31 March 2030)

## Tips for applicants

- Industry partnership is not optional, EPSRC will not fund without credible co-investment or in-kind support; quantify partner commitment in the application.
- Focus proposals on demonstrators and prototypes that raise technology readiness level; EPSRC is selective about early-stage or purely theoretical work for IKC awards.
- International co-leads must operate under formal UKRI-RCN or IIASA agreements; confirm eligibility with EPSRC before developing the consortium structure.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the CHERI IKC award pay?

Up to £7.7 million FEC (80% funded = up to £6.16 million), including up to £2M flexible funding.

### Who can lead the CHERI IKC project?

A UK research organisation, either as a single lead or as the identified lead of a multi-institution consortium; international researchers may join as co-leads under UKRI-RCN or IIASA agreements.

### Is industry partnership required for the CHERI IKC?

Yes, proposals must include significant industry partners with committed cash or in-kind leverage.

### How long is the CHERI IKC project?

39 months, with a fixed start date of 1 January 2027 and end date of 31 March 2030.

### Is the CHERI IKC a one-off call?

Yes, this is a single award, one-off Innovation and Knowledge Centre call.

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