UK Catalysis Hub Strategic Equipment call for expressions of interest 2025/2026
Call documents
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are invited for up to £1.2 M of strategic equipment to be housed in UK higher education institutions, national facilities or other UKRI-approved independent research organisations, associated with UK Catalysis Hub phase III. The equipment should enable cutting edge experimental or computational research but is not intended to replace core research equipment. Equipment costs will be funded at 100 % FEC if located at a national facility or campus or if at a UK HEI, at 80 % FEC with the remaining 20 % required from the host institution or a 3rd party. Additional contributions (leverage) from other parties are also welcome. The timeline for the process is as follows:
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Call open | 1st June 2025 |
| Closing date for submissions | 26th September 2025 |
| Successful bid(s) notified | 30th November 2025 |
| Final invoices submitted | 31st March 2027 |
Submissions should be made online: https://form.jotform.com/251052456913050
We will have a Q&A at the UK Catalysis Hub conference on the 2nd July which will be recorded – this will be held virtually as well as in person. We strongly encourage discussion at an early stage so please come to the session on the 2nd of July by registering for the UK Hub Summer conference - REGISTER HERE
Eligibility criteria - EPSRC rules for who can apply
Eligible applicants may be any investigator eligible to lead on an EPSRC project. If the Equipment is to be hosted at a STFC national facility or campus site then it must involve relevant STFC members.
Call specifics
The strategic equipment call is intended to support cutting edge theory or experimental research during UK Catalysis Hub phase III. The resource can be used to fund either a single piece of equipment or multiple pieces which should either enable new research or else improve the performance of existing research capability. As with all UK Catalysis Hub equipment it is expected that this new equipment operates with zero cost recovery for basic measurements/experiments and it will be necessary to outline what measures and mechanisms are put in place to engage the community and to communicate what is possible with it.Consideration should be given to what strategic equipment is already available to the community to avoid significant duplication. Additional information on what is further required can be found in the application form.
20% 100% terms
Application process
An application form should be completed adhering to the word limits where stated. Send your completed application to Josie Goodall (Josie.Goodall@chem.ox.ac.uk) by 17.00 26th September 2025 digitally using the online form https://form.jotform.com/251052456913050
A specially convened panel will assess the EOI first and foremost on quality and breadth of the science it enables in relation to the
- UK Catalysis Hub phase III objectives (primary),
- User engagement and sustainability (secondary major),
- Strategic importance (secondary major),
- Applicants’ track record and the appropriateness of the host institution (secondary),
- Plans to manage the equipment and justification of resources (secondary).
Since this is an EOI for the UK Catalysis Hub Strategic equipment, shortlisted bids will still require discussion with the Hub mnagament group to ensure the proposal feasability and fit.
It is an EPSRC mandate that Equipment must be invoiced by 31st March 2027.
If you have any further queries please contact the Project Manager – Josie Goodall Josie.Goodall@chem.ox.ac.uk
