Physics & materials grants

Curiosity-driven basic research in earth sciences, astronomy, chemistry, computer science, life sciences, physics or mathematics. Single main applicant with tenured or tenure-track position at an eligible Dutch research organisation. Proposals must be submitted in English via Isaac. One ENW-M proposal per applicant per 12 months.

Supports hybrid quantum-classical computing R&D aligned with UK National Quantum Strategy Mission 1. Lead research organisation must be UK-based; project partners (industry, academia, government, third sector) may be UK or overseas. Named partners expected to provide financial or in-kind leverage. No matched funding requirement beyond standard 20% FEC. Latest project start date 1 February 2027.

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.

Supports technology development from STFC-funded areas (particle physics, astrophysics, astronomy, nuclear/accelerator physics, solar/planetary science, quantum science) at TRL 5–7. Projects must originate from STFC-funded work. Industry partners (especially SMEs) encouraged but not required. Applicants must participate in Innovate UK ICURe Engage and Discover programmes. UK research organisations only; invitation-only at full-proposal stage.

Bilateral collaboration grant for Swedish–Italian research partnerships in quantum and solar technologies. Swedish applicants must collaborate with Italian counterparts. Opens 24 June 2026.

UK research organisations (excluding STFC facilities as lead) may apply as single institution or multi-institution consortium to host cohort-based doctoral training in data-intensive sciences (astronomy, particle physics, nuclear physics etc.). Industrial partner representation on management board required. Students must complete ≥6-month placement outside academia. Proposals submitted in English via UKRI Funding Service.

Open to STFC theory community members (particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, cosmology, etc.) for HPC computing time on DiRAC facilities. Applicants must be UK-resident or employed by an STFC-approved overseas organisation. Early-career researchers including postdocs and PhD students are eligible as project lead. Awards computing time, not cash funding.

Open to STFC-accredited UK universities and research organisations wishing to host one of five named core summer schools (Introductory Astronomy, BUSSTEPP, Solar/Solar-Terrestrial Physics, HEP, Nuclear Physics UK) in 2027. Schools must target STFC-funded PhD students and align with STFC's core science programme. Cost-per-student target below £150/day; specific caps apply to lecturer fees, accommodation, and conference dinner.

For postdoctoral researchers holding a doctoral degree from a non-biological discipline (physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computer science) with no or little life sciences experience, moving to a new country. Must be ≤3 years post-PhD at Full Proposal deadline. Cannot work in country of nationality or PhD country. 100% FTE required. For-profit host institutions ineligible.

UK applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding. Proposals must address quantum algorithms/encryption, quantum communications, computing, materials, or sensing. Equipment above £25,000/item and doctoral studentships are not funded. EPSRC funds 80% FEC; no matched funding required beyond standard 20% FEC.

Joint call (NSERC, DFG, JST, UKRI-EPSRC, NSF, NordForsk) for bilateral/multilateral research in quantum science and technologies: quantum algorithms/encryption, communications, computing, materials, and sensing. German applicants must be DFG-eligible; non-university researchers must comply with DFG form 55.01 duty-to-collaborate rule. Projects must include at least one NSERC-eligible Canadian researcher.

For postdocs with a PhD in a non-biological discipline (physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computer science) with no/little life sciences experience, moving to a new country. Must be ≤3 years post-PhD at Full Proposal deadline. Cannot work in country of nationality or PhD country. For-profit host institutions ineligible. 100% FTE required. Basic life sciences research only.

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.

Proof of Concept in Materials Science from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, a major Swedish private research funder. The applicant must hold a long-term association with a Swedish higher-education institution (≥70% of working time in Sweden).

ERA-NET for research and innovation on materials. Norwegian researchers and industry participating in international research collaboration within materials science. Host institution must be Norwegian. Two-stage process: sketch then full proposal.

Second three-year funding period of SPP 2458, covering combinatorics research across nine themes (enumeration, Dynkin classification, commutative algebra, matroids, convexity, lattice points, statistics, non-linear optimisation, mathematical physics). Proposals encouraged to address synergies between human mathematical insight and AI-supported methods. Open to new projects and renewals. Host institution must comply with DFG Code of Conduct for Good Research Practice.

EuroHPC call on Quantum Machine Learning, co-financed by the Research Council of Norway with NOK 12 million for Norwegian participants. International consortium required.

EuroHPC call on quantum machine learning. Norwegian participation is co-financed by the Research Council of Norway with NOK 12 million. Enabling technologies theme. Host institution must be Norwegian.

Joint Lead Agency Procedure for Dutch-German research teams in NWO Domain Science areas (Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physics). Applicants must be based in Germany (DFG) or the Netherlands (NWO). Proposals outside the defined scope cannot be considered. Unilateral funding of only one national part is not possible.

Joint basic research proposals within NWO Domain Science (Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physics) and corresponding DFG review boards. Commercial companies excluded. Non-university German researchers must fulfil DFG 'duty to cooperate' with a German university partner. No fixed budget cap; standard DFG Sachbeihilfe rules apply. Proposals compete with all other individual grants.

Supports Swiss researchers at eligible Swiss institutions participating in major international experiments in particle physics, astrophysics, and astroparticle physics (e.g. LHC, WLCG). Only one submission per experiment accepted; multi-applicant submissions allowed if each represents a sub-project. Proposals submitted via mySNF in English.

Open to UK organisations meeting EPSRC standard eligibility and Japanese organisations meeting NICT eligibility. A Japan-based project partner is mandatory. Scope covers AI integration in digital networks, non-terrestrial networks, and advanced optics/photonics for Beyond 5G/6G. Equipment ≥£25k and PhD studentships are not fundable from EPSRC. Projects must start 1 April 2027.

Supports innovative research in agriculture, food, industrial/environmental biotech, carbon capture, nitrous oxide/methane emissions, and quantum technologies with clear commercialisation outlook. Main applicant must be a senior faculty member or researcher at a Nordic research institution or hospital/clinic, with a proven innovation track record (patents, spinouts). Grant is pre-CVR; companies are ineligible.

Transnational consortium call in quantum technology. Swiss researchers funded directly by SNSF. Eligibility and submission details in the national annex of each call. SNSF Project funding rules generally apply.

Multilateral initiative on quantum technology. Swiss researchers are fully eligible; SNSF funds the Swiss partner. Consortium of researchers from several countries required. See national annex of each call for Swiss-specific submission requirements.

Supports innovative research in med-tech, industrial biotech, pharma, and quantum technologies with focus on cardiometabolic and infectious diseases, with clear commercialisation outlook. Main applicant must be a senior faculty member or researcher at a Nordic research institution or hospital/clinic, with a proven innovation track record (patents, spinouts). Grant is pre-CVR; companies are ineligible.

Supports innovative research in agriculture, food, industrial/environmental biotech, carbon capture, nitrous oxide/methane emissions, and quantum technologies with clear commercialisation outlook. Main applicant must be faculty, researcher, or student at a university, hospital, or research institution in the Nordic countries. Must be administered by a non-profit; pre-CVR only.

Supports innovative research in med-tech, industrial biotech, pharma, and quantum technologies with focus on cardiometabolic and infectious diseases. Main applicant must be faculty, researcher, or student at a Nordic university, hospital, or research institution. Must be administered by a non-profit; pre-CVR only; clear commercialisation outlook required.

Joint funding supporting research and technology development across EPSRC's remit (chemistry, engineering, ICT, materials, mathematical sciences, physics) between Irish and UK institutions. Mid-career investigator-led; joint application with UK partner required.

Open to PhD students enrolled in astronomy, observational/theoretical/fundamental astrophysics at a Republic of Ireland higher education institution eligible for IRC funding. Applicants must have sufficient PhD time remaining for the studentship duration. Proposals must be submitted in English via the ESO Portal. Non-IRC-funded applicants must provide proof of fee waiver/alternative funding from their home institution.

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.

Joint Research Projects (JRPs) between Swiss and South Korean researchers in quantum computing/simulation, quantum communications and networks, quantum sensing/measurement, fundamentals of quantum information science and technology, and quantum ethics. Swiss applicant must be based at a Swiss institution; Korean partner funded by NRF. ~10 projects funded per call.

Open to higher-education lecturers who are nationals and residents of PALOP countries (Angola, Cabo Verde, Guiné-Bissau, Moçambique, São Tomé e Príncipe), holding at least a Master's degree in Mathematics, Physics or related fields, with an employment contract at a PALOP higher-education institution. Internships are in-person at Portuguese institutions. Candidates residing in Portugal in 2026 are not eligible. Up to 15 internships supported (10 Maths, 5 Physics).

FWO co-funds transnational quantum technologies research for Flemish researchers under QUANTERA III. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

Supplementary funding for ongoing projects in AI, autonomy and/or quantum technology to transfer competence and results to the defence sector. Only approved Norwegian research organisations may apply. Total available Kr 15,000,000.

Provides Norwegian research groups access to updated infrastructure for quantum technology research. Approved Norwegian research organisations and publicly funded administrators of research infrastructure cooperating with Norwegian research organisations may apply.

Joint basic/knowledge-driven research proposals within NWO Domain Science scope (Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physics) and corresponding DFG review boards. Applicants must be based at German or Dutch research institutions; DFG eligibility rules (Sachbeihilfe) apply. Commercial companies may not be included as partners.

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.

Postdoctoral fellowship for researchers within 5 years of PhD in medicine, natural/technical sciences, biomedicine, or biotechnology. Applicants must be affiliated with either a Danish research institution (with Cleveland Clinic connection) or the Cleveland Clinic (with Danish research background). Full-time commitment required; English proficiency test required for Cleveland Clinic applicants. Proposals must be in English.

Joint Dutch-German basic research under NWO 'Open Competition Domain Science – M'. Current 2025–2026 round is closed; next round opens August 2026. Covers Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physics. Dutch PI leads submission to NWO; German PI submits copy to DFG within 7 days. Max 36 months. Both sides must meet their respective national eligibility rules.

Joint UK-German research teams only; each project must include researchers based in Germany and the UK. Scope covers Chemistry, Physics (excl. Particles/Nuclei/Astrophysics), Mathematics, and Engineering Sciences (DFG side) / all EPSRC research areas (UK side). Proposals must be written in English. No dedicated budget — proposals compete within standard DFG Research Grants and EPSRC Responsive Mode funding lines.

Establishes Norwegian research centres at high international level in quantum computing, quantum sensors and quantum communication. Approved Norwegian research organisations can apply. (Centre for quantum technology research)

Supplementary funding for ongoing projects in AI, autonomy, and/or quantum technology to transfer expertise and results to the Norwegian defence sector. Approved Norwegian research organisations are eligible.