EPSRC
Network Grant
Rolling deadline — always open for applications
Last verified:
The EPSRC Network Grant funds network-building activities, workshops, travel, coordination, and administrative costs, for UK-based researchers establishing or strengthening research communities across three-year projects. Lecturers and above at UK HEIs, research council institutes, and approved research organisations are eligible; postdoctoral fellows cannot apply. EPSRC covers 80% of full economic costs, with the host institution covering the remaining 20%.
Details
| Funder | EPSRC |
| Budget | 80% of full economic costs; any project size |
| Duration | Up to 3 years |
| Consortium | Optional — networks are expected to involve a group with a range of expertise; industrial collaborators and overseas partners may be included but are not required |
| Application | Single stage via Je-S; reviewed by ≥3 peers, then panel scoring |
| Frequency | Continuous |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
Open to researchers at UK HEIs, research council institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations, PSREs, and NHS bodies. Applicants must be UK-resident at lecturer level or equivalent (postdoctoral fellows ineligible). Funds network-building activities only (not research): investigator salaries, travel, workshops, admin. EPSRC funds 80% FEC; host organisation must cover the balance. A co-investigator may be based in Norway under the UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation Agreement.
Who Should Apply
- •Lecturers, senior lecturers, readers, and above at UK HEIs
- •Researchers at UKRI-approved independent research organisations, PSREs, and NHS bodies
- •Applicants seeking to convene research communities around a specific theme or challenge
- •UK-resident researchers; Norwegian co-investigators permitted under UKRI-RCN agreement
Key Dates
- •Rolling deadline, applications accepted continuously
- •Single-stage peer review (≥3 reviewers) followed by panel scoring
- •Up to three-year project duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Network Grants fund activity, not research, frame your budget tightly around workshops, community events, visiting fellowships, and coordination; research salaries and lab costs are ineligible.
- ✓The 80/20 cost-share model is non-negotiable: confirm your host institution's commitment to cover the 20% before submission.
- ✓Emphasise early-career and geographic diversity in your network plan; panels reward networks that widen participation, not reinforce existing clusters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use an EPSRC Network Grant to fund?
Network-building activities including workshops, travel for network members, visitor support, coordination staff, and administrative costs. Research salaries and equipment are not eligible.
Who is eligible to apply for an EPSRC Network Grant?
Lecturers and above at UK HEIs, research council institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations, PSREs, and NHS bodies. Postdoctoral fellows are ineligible.
How much does EPSRC fund on an EPSRC Network Grant?
EPSRC covers 80% of full economic costs; the host organisation must contribute 20%.
Can non-UK researchers be part of an EPSRC Network Grant?
Norwegian co-investigators are permitted under the UKRI-RCN agreement; other international collaborators can participate but only UK-resident applicants above lecturer level can be the grant holder.
How often can I apply to the EPSRC Network Grant?
The scheme has a rolling deadline, so applications are accepted continuously.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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