UK Catalysis Hub Flexible Funding Schemes

No. The Flexible Fund is designed to support high-risk, high-reward proof-of-concept, feasibility, and partnership-building activities that generate new preliminary data or collaborations. It is not intended to provide top-up funding for existing grants unless the work represents a clearly distinct and novel direction aligned with Hub priorities.

No. The fund does not support PhD student time under any scheme.
Eligible costs include postdoctoral salary (Scheme 1 & 2), travel and consumables only.

No. The secondment scheme follows standard EPSRC eligibility rules to hold grants.

A PDRA cannot apply independently unless they meet EPSRC eligibility criteria to hold a grant. In most cases, the eligible academic employing the PDRA should apply on their behalf.

No. Indirect costs and estates are not included in any scheme. All awards are made at 80% fEC and institutions must agree to support the project without overhead recovery before submission. Please ensure your research office or equivalent has approved your application and budget before applying.  

Yes. All projects must be catalysis projects, but they may cover any aspect of catalysis and must align with at least one Hub III theme (Net Zero, Sustainability, Computational & Digital Catalysis, Advanced Characterisation).

No.

Yes, but:

• The proposal must be clearly distinct.
• You must demonstrate added value and new objectives.
• Strong justification will be required if there is overlap in topic area.

Yes. The 8-year post-PhD window for Scheme 1 allows for career breaks and time away from research.

Yes.

International collaborators are particularly encouraged under Scheme 3 (Secondments).
For Scheme 2, industrial partners may be international if appropriately justified.

No. Visa and relocation costs are not covered under any scheme.

No hiring costs are not covered.