EPSRC new investigator award: Nov 2023: responsive mode

New investigator awards are for researchers at eligible research organisations.

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) encourage:

  • projects with a single, clear research vision
  • the identification of career development opportunities for new investigators

We will award 80% of the full economic cost (FEC) of the project.

Before applying for funding, check the Eligibility of your organisation.

The new investigator award scheme is intended to support individuals who hold an academic lectureship position (or equivalent) and have not previously led a research group.

We do not consider years post-PhD or job title to be a marker of career progression.

Eligibility is determined on the basis of funding history.

Find out more about new investigator award eligibility.

We encourage applications from candidates who have taken a non-standard career path after their first degree.

We also welcome applications from candidates who want to move back into research after a career break or any other type of break from active research.

Resubmissions

We will not accept uninvited resubmissions of projects that have been submitted to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) or any other funder.

Find out more about EPSRC’s resubmissions policy.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants.
We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.

We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:

  • career breaks
  • support for people with caring responsibilities
  • flexible working
  • alternative working patterns

Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at UKRI.

Aim

We are committed to the continued support of excellent responsive, discovery led research as detailed in EPSRC’s Strategic Delivery Plan 2022 to 2025.

The aim of the new investigator awards is to support researchers to develop their own research vision and establish a new research group to explore that vision.

Scope

New investigator awards should have a single research vision with clearly defined objectives and outcomes. Complex, multi-faceted research projects with many objectives are not appropriate to the new investigator award.

You should typically seek 10% to 20% of the project lead (previously principal investigator) time. Those who are seeking to substantially exceed this should consider other funding opportunities.

We encourage you to have early discussions with your institution to identify what training and development opportunities are available to meet your aspirations over the duration of the award. Your host organisation’s statement of support is important.

Find out more about the new investigator award expectations including more detail about what we are looking for and the support expected from your host organisation.

You can apply for a new investigator award in any field of research relevant to our remit. We support high quality research in:

  • artificial intelligence (AI)
  • digital security and resilience
  • energy and decarbonisation
  • engineering
  • healthcare technologies
  • information and communication technologies (ICT)
  • manufacturing and the circular economy
  • mathematical sciences
  • physical sciences
  • quantum technologies

Find out more about our research areas and themes.

Critical technologies

EPSRC particularly welcomes high quality applications where engineering and physical sciences research can generate new knowledge and addresses challenges associated with the advancement, development, and deployment of these technologies as follows:

  • artificial intelligence (AI): machines that perform tasks normally performed by human intelligence, especially when the machines learn from data how to do those tasks
  • engineering biology: the application of rigorous engineering principles to the design of biological systems
  • future telecommunications: evolutions of the infrastructure for digitised data and communications
  • semiconductors: a class of electronic materials with unique properties that sit at the heart of the devices and technology we use every day
  • quantum technologies: devices and systems which rely on quantum mechanics, to provide capabilities that ‘classical’ machines cannot

Applications for research addressing these areas should ensure complementarity with existing funding, including via strategic initiatives in the area and where applicable existing UKRI strategies, for example Transforming our world with AI.

Applications received will be considered on their scientific and engineering merit in competition with all other applications. The signpost will not be used to change the rank order of proposals for funding.

The majority of your research must fall within our remit.

We will work with other research councils to ensure that applications close to remit boundaries are assessed by the most appropriate lead council. We encourage you to contact us first to discuss your application if you believe your research may cross research council boundaries.

See our remit query form.

Duration

There is no limit on the length of your project. However, new investigator awards are typically one to three years in duration.

Funding available

There is no limit on the value of the grant.

We will fund 80% FEC of your project.

What we will fund

We will fund:

  • staff costs
  • equipment (up to £400,000 per item)
  • other items required to carry out the project
  • costs related to impact
  • travel and subsistence

Quotes for equipment do not need to be included in your application, but please retain quotes for equipment costing more than £138,000 as we may ask for these at post-panel stage before releasing funds.

For more information and to apply visit https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/epsrc-new-investigator-award-nov-2023-responsive-mode/