EPSRC
New Investigator Award
Rolling deadline
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The EPSRC New Investigator Award funds early-career UK researchers making their first application as project lead, with support for projects typically lasting 1-3 years and funded at 80% FEC. Eligibility is limited to applicants with no prior single award exceeding £175,000 FEC and no more than 12 months of postdoctoral supervision experience. The scheme covers all EPSRC-remit fields and operates on a rolling basis with single-stage review.
Details
| Funder | EPSRC |
| Budget | Up to £400,000 per equipment item; 80% FEC funded, no overall grant value limit |
| Duration | 1-3 years typically, no fixed limit |
| Consortium | No - individual applicant; project co-leads generally not permitted except where essential specialist expertise is required |
| Application | Single stage, continuous submission with internal batching for panel assessment |
| Frequency | Continuous |
| Career stage | Early-career opportunity |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
For individuals holding an academic lectureship (or equivalent) who have not previously led a research group; eligibility based on funding history not years post-PhD. Open to any EPSRC remit field (AI, engineering, physical sciences, quantum, etc.). Applications submitted via UKRI Funding Service, batched internally with no fixed closing dates.
Who Should Apply
- •Early-career researchers at their first EPSRC application as project lead
- •UK-resident researchers based at a UK research organisation
- •Applicants with no prior single EPSRC award exceeding £175,000 FEC
- •Scientists and engineers with minimal postdoctoral supervision experience (≤12 months)
- •Projects across all EPSRC-remit disciplines
Key Dates
- •Rolling submission; apply whenever ready with no published closing dates for individual batches
- •Single-stage review; applications batched internally and evaluated by responsive-mode panel
- •Typical project duration 1-3 years
Tips for Applicants
- ✓This is a stepping stone to larger EPSRC funding, frame your first lead award as a pilot or proof-of-concept to a bigger vision, not a final endpoint.
- ✓The postdoc-supervision cap is strict; if you have trained more than 12 months of postdoctoral staff in total, you may be ineligible regardless of other criteria.
- ✓Rolling submission means no deadline pressure, but don't delay: reviewers may flag your idea as already in-flight if similar applications land in the same batch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the EPSRC New Investigator Award?
Early-career UK-resident researchers at a UK research organisation applying as project lead for the first time, with no prior award exceeding £175,000 FEC and no more than 12 months of postdoctoral supervision.
How long can an EPSRC New Investigator Award project last?
Typically 1-3 years.
How much is an EPSRC New Investigator Award funded?
No stated upper limit; awards are funded at 80% of full economic cost (FEC).
How do I apply for the EPSRC New Investigator Award?
Submit a single-stage application at any time (rolling submission); applications are batched internally and sent to a responsive-mode panel for review.
Can I have a co-lead on an EPSRC New Investigator Award?
No; project co-leads are generally not permitted for this scheme.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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