EPSRC Programme Grant Pre-Outline Form

Overview

Programme grants provide flexible funding to world-leading research groups addressing significant major research challenges.

Funding should bring together the expertise of a team of internationally recognised scientists or engineers to focus on one strategic research theme.

EPSRC sees programme grants as critical mass investments, which cover a diverse engineering and physical sciences portfolio. They benefit UK research through the concentration of high-performing talent.

We assess programme grants in a different way to standard grants.

Applicants must go through a pre-outline and outline stage before being invited to submit a full proposal.

In general there are no deadlines for a Programme Grant submission. Pre-outlines can be submitted at any time and will be considered by EPSRC on a rolling basis. 

Please contact the relevant expert in your field found here - Contacts – UKRI ahead of filling out this pre outline application form. 

EPSRC complies with the General Data Protection Regulations 2016/679 (EU) GDPR). We process and handle personal information according to these regulations. The personal information that you provide on this form will only be used for the processing of your application. The information will be viewed by EPSRC staff and those who are part of the decision making process. Your information will not be used/shared for any other purpose without your specific consent. EPSRC reserves the right to publish and share anonymized aggregated information with stakeholders. For further information on how your personal data is used, how we maintain the security of your information, and your rights to access that information we hold about you, please contact the UK Research and Innovation Information Rights Team.

The UK Research and Innovation privacy notice can be found on the UKRI website.

What happens next

1. Pre-outline submitted through the online web form.
2. Pre-outline discussion with EPSRC. If the application is not successful, the applicant may be advised to apply to a different scheme. Assessment of pre-outlines is not subject to demand management.
3. If pre-outline discussion is successful, EPSRC will invite submission of a four-page outline. This must be submitted before the deadline.
4. Outlines will be assessed by external outline panels. Outline may be rejected if it does not demonstrate its fit to the Programme Grant scheme.
5. If outline is accepted, EPSRC will invite submission of full proposal. Applicants will have 10 weeks, from when they are notified, to submit.
6. Full proposal will be postal peer reviewed, at least five reviews invited including one international. Unsupportive reviews will lead to rejection of application before it reaches the interview panel.
7. Reviews will be shared with the applicant, who can provide a two-page response.
8. Interview with one of the programme grant interview panels.
9. Rank ordered list and funding decision.