EPSRC

Strategic Infrastructure Outlines

Up to 100% FEC for capital costs; 80% FEC for non-capital costs. Minimum item threshold £400,000 incl. VAT. Prior approval required for requests over £5M.Route 1: reflects procurement/installation only (>36 months requires approval). Route 2: max 2 years.

Open call with batching periods: Batch 1 Sep–Dec 2026, Batch 2 Jan–Apr 2027, Batch 3 May–Nov 2027, Batch 4 Dec 2027–Mar 2028, Batch 5 Apr–Sep 2028. No fixed closing date; apply when ready.

Last updated: 30 Aug 2026

No deadline is on file for this call. Check EPSRC's own call page for the current round's status before you plan around it.

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The EPSRC Strategic Infrastructure Outlines funds the purchase and setup of capital or digital research infrastructure at UK research organisations, with 100% full economic cost coverage for capital items and 80% for non-capital costs. Route 1 is open to all eligible institutions for strategic infrastructure items of at least £400,000; Route 2 (by invitation) supports resources for existing infrastructure. Applications are accepted continuously across five batching periods per year, with a maximum of three submissions per institution per batch.

Details

Funder	EPSRC
Budget	Up to 100% FEC for capital costs; 80% FEC for non-capital costs. Minimum item threshold £400,000 incl. VAT. Prior approval required for requests over £5M.
Duration	Route 1: reflects procurement/installation only (>36 months requires approval). Route 2: max 2 years.
Consortium	No
Application	Single stage (outline application); post-panel equipment quotes required for items >£138,000.
Frequency	Continuous
Eligible countries	GB

Eligibility & scope

Two routes: Route 1 funds purchase/set-up of strategic capital/digital infrastructure (min £400k per item); Route 2 (invited only) funds non-capital resources to support existing infrastructure. Max 3 applications per institution per batching period. UK research organisations with standard UKRI eligibility. Projects >36 months or >£5M require prior EPSRC approval.

Who Should Apply

•UK research organisations meeting UKRI eligibility criteria
•Institutions seeking to purchase or establish strategic capital or digital infrastructure
•Projects with a minimum capital item cost of £400,000 (Route 1)
•Requests over £5 million require prior funder approval

Key Dates

•Open call with continuous batching: Batch 1 Sep, Dec 2026, Batch 2 Jan, Apr 2027, Batch 3 May, Nov 2027, Batch 4 Dec 2027, Mar 2028, Batch 5 Apr, Sep 2028
•Route 1 projects typically up to 36 months (longer durations require prior approval); Route 2 maximum 2 years
•Maximum 3 applications per institution per batching period

Tips for Applicants

✓Requests over £5M need prior approval from EPSRC before submission; contact the funder early to confirm scope.
✓Equipment quotes are mandatory post-panel for any item over £138,000; prepare procurement timelines accordingly.
✓Route 2 (invitation-only for existing infrastructure support) requires advance approval from your assigned EPSRC theme lead before application.