EPSRC
High Performance Compute Resources for EPSRC Communities
4:00pm UK time. Pre-application meeting with EPSRC Research Infrastructure team must be arranged by 29 September 2026.
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EPSRC High Performance Compute Resources funds UK research organisations to acquire CPU and GPU hardware for engineering and physical sciences communities, with up to £20M capital (FY2026-27) plus £5M resource support over four years. The call is open to eligible UK and overseas organisations and runs to a single-stage submission with a mandatory pre-application meeting required by late September. Capital expenditure must be completed by 31 March 2027, with the fixed project start date of 31 January 2027.
Details
| Funder | EPSRC |
| Budget | £20M capital (FY2026–27) + £5M resource over 4 years; 100% FEC for capital, 80% FEC for resource costs |
| Deadline | 27 October 2026 |
| Duration | Maximum 4 years (fixed start 31 January 2027) |
| Consortium | Optional — project partners (including international collaborators) are encouraged; only the lead research organisation submits; Norway-based project co-leads are not permitted under this opportunity. |
| Application | Single stage; mandatory pre-application conversation with EPSRC Research Infrastructure team required before submission. |
| Frequency | One-off |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
Funds compute hardware (CPU and/or GPU) for engineering and physical sciences research communities. Applicants must contact EPSRC (researchinfrastructure@epsrc.ukri.org) to discuss procurement and Trusted Research & Innovation plans before submission. Capital costs (hardware) funded at 100% FEC; resource costs at 80% FEC. Hardware spend must be completed by 31 March 2027. Open to UK organisations and overseas-based organisations meeting UKRI eligibility.
Who Should Apply
- •UK-based academic and research institutions with established engineering or physical sciences communities
- •Research organisations needing CPU and/or GPU infrastructure expansion
- •Consortia with UK lead and optional international or non-approved-body partners
- •Applicants able to commit capital deployment by 31 March 2027
Key Dates
- •Deadline 27 October 2026 at 4:00pm UK time; mandatory pre-application contact with EPSRC Research Infrastructure team by 29 September 2026
- •Project start date fixed at 31 January 2027
- •Maximum four-year project duration; capital completion by 31 March 2027
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Contact the EPSRC Research Infrastructure team by 29 September, applications submitted without prior discussion are ineligible.
- ✓Capital spend must be fully committed by 31 March 2027 (three months after project start); plan procurement timelines tightly.
- ✓Frame your application around community benefit in engineering and physical sciences, not single-investigator use cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding is available for high-performance compute resources?
Up to £20M capital for hardware acquisition in FY2026-27, plus £5M resource support over four years.
What hardware can I purchase with EPSRC High Performance Compute Resources funding?
CPU and/or GPU compute hardware for engineering and physical sciences communities.
Do I need to contact EPSRC before applying?
Yes, you must contact the EPSRC Research Infrastructure team by 29 September 2026 to arrange a pre-application meeting; applications without prior contact are ineligible.
When is the capital expenditure deadline?
All capital spend must be completed by 31 March 2027, three months after the fixed project start date of 31 January 2027.
Can international organisations apply for EPSRC High Performance Compute Resources?
Overseas organisations can participate as partners but must be included through a UK-based lead organisation, which submits the application.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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