UKRI: open calls

Share of £2M (inclusive of VAT) to develop innovative interventions, technologies, and frameworks supporting children and families experiencing homelessness. Open to organisations including those based in the EU, EEA, or internationally. Contracts awarded to a single legal entity only; subcontractors permitted but lead must be one organisation.

Continuation of 2024 PPE Consolidated Grants for two remaining years. Open to eligible UK research organisations that received a 2024 PPE award. Applicants must submit an update to their 2024 application; new or additional activities only in exceptional circumstances. STFC funds 80% FEC. Covers named experiments (ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, etc.) including M&O and common fund requests.

Open to English Higher Education Providers registered with OfS (approved fee cap) and, under HERA 2017 s.97(3), organisations with strong KE/commercialisation metrics expertise. Applications can be collaborative or independent, but only eligible English HEPs or organisations may lead. Funds a national KE metrics advisory unit to design next-generation KE data tools, commercialisation metrics (spinouts, patents), and AI-based analytical approaches for policy and institutional funding.

Invite-only call for UK university-led clusters bringing together academia, industry, and regional partners to drive R&D and growth in the creative industries. Proposals must address regional/national impact, include EDI framework, sustainability plan, and governance plan. Project partners (industry, academia, third sector, government, UK or overseas) are encouraged. No institutional matched funding requirement beyond standard 20% FEC.

Research opportunity focused on video games and gambling-related harms. Applicants must complete a Declaration of Interests Form disclosing any links to gambling operators or industry. Project partners from industry, academia, third sector or government (UK or overseas) are encouraged to contribute directly or in-kind.

Open to UK-registered companies under 5 years old, majority founder/employee-owned, with prior BBSRC/UKRI grant or commercialisation support. Technology must be biological in nature or interact with a biological entity/process. Medical/clinical devices and therapeutics developed solely for a specific clinical end-point (including diagnostics) are excluded. Provides R&D funding, innovation voucher, business support, and access to UKRI campuses.

UK-based host institutions only. Funds public engagement projects with strong links to STFC science remit (astronomy, particle physics, quantum technologies, etc.). Every application must include a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in an STFC-funded remit area. 100% FEC funded. Projects must not start before 1 February 2027. Targets under-served communities ('Wonder' audience) are prioritised.

For registered healthcare professionals (including doctors, nurses, AHPs, vets) who hold a PhD received ≥5 years ago and wish to reacquire research skills. Fellowship must be hosted at an eligible UK research organisation; international applicants must hold or obtain UK regulatory body registration. Funded at 80% FEC. Jointly funded options available with named charities. Applicant must intend to be clinically active in the UK during or after the award.

Open to registered healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, vets, etc.) of any nationality, but fellowship must be hosted at an eligible UK research organisation. Applicants must hold a completed PhD or equivalent (before award start). Must not have previously secured independence via grants leading research staff. Fellowship must be based full-time at host; clinical sessions up to 4/week permitted for relevant specialties. Joint funding available with several charities (e.g. Diabetes UK, Parkinson's UK).

Open to UK research groups and individuals (any career stage, subject to NERC eligibility). Focuses on aviation non-CO2 climate impacts across three themes: contrail/aerosol prediction confidence, future fuels (SAF, hydrogen, fuel cells), and decision-making support. Projects with industrial partnerships encouraged. Up to 6 projects funded; projects must start no later than 1 February 2027. UK host institution required.

UK academic researchers embedded in government host departments for 18 months to support evidence-informed policymaking. Applicants must hold a doctorate or equivalent research experience. Fellowship starts 1 May 2027. Early-career researchers receive funded mentorship. Minimum 0.6 FTE during placement. Includes £15,000 mandatory flexible budget.

UK academic researchers embedded in What Works Network host organisations for 18 months. Includes an additional £40,000 research and collaboration budget for co-production and collaboration. Applicants must hold a doctorate or equivalent. Fellowship starts 1 May 2027. Minimum 0.6 FTE during placement. Includes £15,000 mandatory flexible budget.

Open to researchers holding a doctorate or equivalent research experience, based at a UK research organisation (lead organisation must submit). Fellows undertake an 18-month policy fellowship with a UK government host, starting 1 May 2027. Three fellowship tracks: Core (up to £180k FEC), What Works Innovation (up to £220k FEC), and Natural Hazards and Resilience (up to £280k FEC, co-funded by DCMS). Early-career researchers receive funded mentorship support.

Invited full applications for MRC Centres of Research Excellence (CoRE) addressing a defined long-term biomedical or health research challenge over 14 years. Open to UK research organisations; lead applicant must be affiliated with the lead research organisation. Requires standard 20% FEC; no additional matched funding required. International project co-leads permitted. Ministry of Defence participates in assessment.

UK academic researchers embedded in government host departments focusing on natural hazards and resilience. Includes an additional £100,000 research and collaboration budget co-funded by DCMS. Applicants must hold a doctorate or equivalent. Fellowship starts 1 May 2027. Minimum 0.6 FTE during placement. Includes £15,000 mandatory flexible budget.

For researchers post-PhD seeking first step to independence in MRC remit (human health). Must be hosted at an eligible UK research organisation; applicants of all nationalities welcome. Clinically active researchers are ineligible (separate clinician scientist scheme). Cannot hold a comparable fellowship or have secured grants as project lead with research staff. Fellowship must be full-time (or part-time for personal reasons only). Start date June–September 2027.

Open to UK research organisations (not STFC facilities as lead). Funds cohort-based doctoral training in data-intensive sciences (astronomy, particle physics, nuclear physics etc.) with mandatory 6-month industry/public-sector placements. Industrial partner representation on management board required. Single-institution or multi-institution consortium permitted; project lead must host ≥1 student per intake year.

For researchers (any nationality) seeking to establish independent research niche in STFC remit areas (astronomy, particle physics, nuclear physics, accelerator science, quantum technologies, etc.). Must be hosted at a UK research organisation holding an ERF quota. STFC funds 80% FEC; host funds balance. Up to 10 fellowships offered. Cannot fund PDRAs or PhD students. Part-time (≥50% FTE) permitted.

Supports early-career researchers (postdoctoral, lecturers, junior fellows) who have not previously led a research team or held a substantial grant, enabling transition to independence through an experimental medicine project in humans. Salary capped at 50% of contracted working time; applicant must be sole intellectual leader. Typical duration three years.

UK-based organisations only (non-UK applicants ineligible). Projects must enhance existing ESRC social science data service infrastructures (no new services). Focus on improving data discovery, access to sensitive data, technology-enabled pipelines (incl. AI), and upskilling data service staff. Must include an upskilling work package. Business/third sector/government co-leads permitted but cannot lead projects.

Provides GPU compute access (no cash funding) on the Isambard-AI cluster for AI-driven scientific discovery. Open to UK-registered businesses, UKRI-eligible research organisations, charities, and not-for-profits. Project lead must hold a contract longer than the proposed project and be at lecturer/equivalent level or above. Priority areas: AI for scientific discovery, engineering biology, fusion energy, materials science, medical research, quantum technology.

Pilot early adopters fund for the Creative Content Exchange (CCE). Assessed on appropriateness of approach, team capability, ethics/RRI, and cost justification. Applicants must comply with UK National Security and Investment Act obligations and UKRI Trusted Research & Innovation requirements. Contact research office for costings support.

Open to UK research institutions eligible for UKRI funding (HEPs, IROs, PSREs, NHS bodies) as project lead. Interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary teams required, including people with lived experience of gambling harms. Non-standard eligibility organisations (charities, businesses, international) may co-lead; combined non-standard costs capped at 30% FEC. Gambling industry licence holders subject to the levy cannot host or receive funds. PhD studentships not eligible.

IAA funding for UK research organisations (EPSRC: invited institutions only) to support flexible translational and impact activities. Covers AHRC, EPSRC, MRC, and STFC remits. ESRC current IAA holders exempt. Applicants must be UK-based institutions; EPSRC stream restricted to invited organisations. Costs at 100% FEC under exceptions category only.

Develop evidence base on 'learning in the flow of work' for Cabinet Office. Disciplines: social research methods, economics, behavioural science, organisation studies. Fellowship hosted at a UK government department.

Build capability, data and evidence to monitor and evaluate the UK's Industrial Strategy. Disciplines: economics, data science, social research, statistics, applied mathematics. UK government-hosted fellowship.

Steer FCDO activities on electricity grid infrastructure research and financing for clean energy transition globally. Disciplines: energy systems, engineering, energy economics, policy analysis.

Open to single applicants only. Farming, growing or forestry businesses of any size based in England (including sole traders and partnerships) with a UK bank account can apply for £2,500 to engage an external Project Facilitator to support development of a Full ADOPT Grant application.

Apply for funding to deliver a doctoral focal award in environmental evidence synthesis. Applications should be led by organisations eligible for UKRI funding.

Invite-only call for a consortium to deliver Phase 2 of the Immersive Arts Programme (creative immersive technologies R&D) across the UK. Minimum 5 partners spanning all four UK nations; at least one English partner must be outside London. Consortium partners are ineligible to apply for devolved funding. Minimum 55% of total budget must be ring-fenced for devolved awards to creative/cultural organisations and individuals.

Pre-commercialisation projects under the UKRI R&D Missions Accelerator Programme / Clean Energy Superpower Mission. Open to single applicants and collaborations. Eligible organisations: UK-registered businesses (any size), research and technology organisations, charities, not-for-profits, public sector bodies, and academic institutions.

Build evidence base on risks associated with ultra processed foods and international policy responses. Disciplines: food science, toxicology, epidemiology, dietary science, public health.

Open to UK-based businesses of any size partnering with a UK academic/research organisation or Catapult. A graduate associate is employed by the academic partner but works in the business to deliver an innovation project. Business must contribute to costs (salary, supervision). Any sector; project must deliver innovation the business could not achieve alone. Co-funded by UKRI, Welsh Government, Invest NI, Scottish Funding Council, BEIS and Defra.

Advise on how net zero transition affects places and communities using multidisciplinary evidence. Disciplines: social sciences, behavioural science, geography, environmental science.

Fellowships for researchers returning to a research career after a career break. Combines a personalised retraining programme with a research project. Flexible, typically 3 years at 0.5 FTE; some UKRI funders may award longer. UK-based researchers at eligible institutions.

Funds a national, director-led UK Obesity Research Institute focused on mechanistic biomedical science of obesity (pathophysiology, cardiometabolic consequences, prevention and treatment). Lead applicant must be a UK research organisation (universities/research institutes); businesses and charities cannot lead. International researchers may participate as co-leads (international) but cannot lead. One award expected. Funding subject to full business case approval.

International transdisciplinary research on ecological, evolutionary, and social drivers of infectious disease transmission (humans, animals, plants). UK component funded by BBSRC on behalf of UKRI (EPSRC, ESRC, NERC, MRC). Must include UK and US investigators; proposals submitted through NSF. Focus on quantitative/computational pathogen transmission dynamics; coronavirus proposals encouraged. UK applicants must contact BBSRC Programme Officer before applying.

Helps businesses partner with an academic organisation, research organisation, or Catapult to employ a graduate whose skills and knowledge can help the business innovate and grow. Industry-partnership with academia is required.

Pilot data generation and hypothesis-driven mechanistic studies examining inflammatory and immune processes in neurological conditions and mental illness. Excludes GWAS/epidemiological studies and MS-only projects. Funded at 80% full economic cost; PhD studentship costs not eligible. UK institutions; principal investigator CV and key publications required at expression of interest stage.

UK-registered organisations only. Open to single applicants and collaborations. Lead applicant must be an academic institution, research or technology organisation, charity, not-for-profit, or public sector organisation. Funds establishing or scaling regional skills initiatives for battery manufacturing and its supply chain.

UK-based call for a nationally accessible centre to strengthen the UK's quantum commercialisation skills pipeline. Applicants must be UK research organisations. Centre must build commercialisation capability across career stages, enable early translation, and support researchers on pathways from discovery to deployment. Industry and public-sector partner engagement required. Includes a flexible fund component.

UKRI research councils receive and assess joint applications from eligible UK and São Paulo, Brazil-based researchers under a UKRI-FAPESP lead agency agreement. Applications go through a single review process under existing UKRI funding programmes.

UK and US-based researchers submit collaborative proposals through a single review process under existing funding programmes at the relevant lead agency (UKRI or NSF SBE directorate). Grants funded through existing programmes.

Invite-only call for a consortium to deliver Phase 2 of the Immersive Arts Programme (creative immersive technologies R&D) across the UK. Minimum 55% of budget must be distributed as devolved awards to external organisations/individuals. Consortium partners are ineligible to apply for devolved funding. Open to cultural, creative industry, commercial and research sector organisations with standard UKRI eligibility.

UK-based researchers collaborate with Luxembourg researchers under existing UKRI funding opportunities via a UKRI-FNR MOU. UKRI funds the UK component; FNR funds the Luxembourg component. Single joint application through a single review process. Conditions vary by funding opportunity.

NERC seedcorn fund for UK researchers to establish new sustainable international partnerships in environmental sciences. Applicants must demonstrate a new primary international partner bringing expertise not available in the UK. Co-funding options available with FAPESP (Brazil) or NSTC (Taiwan).