Core Equipment 2026 Statement of Intent

Overview

Submit a statement of intent to provide EPSRC with assurance that your research organisation has appropriate processes in place to identify, prioritise, procure, install and sustainably operate multi-user research equipment. If successful, this will enable your organisation to receive EPSRC Core Equipment direct awards over the next five years, subject to available funding and any award-specific priorities or grant conditions.

In addition, a separate Accessibility Fund is available only to eligible institutions. This is a pilot scheme supporting improvements to remove barriers and increase access to EPSRC-funded infrastructure and equipment. Institutions eligible for this pilot have been informed in their invitation letter.

Why your views matter

This is an invite-only opportunity for eligible UK research organisations. Please only complete this application if you have been invited by EPSRC to submit a statement of intent.

Only one submission per institution is allowed.

What happens next

• You are applying for approval of an institutional statement of intent. You are not being asked to provide a final list of equipment purchases at this stage.  

• Approved statements of intent are expected to remain valid for up to five years, subject to available funding. 

• The opportunity is non-competitive; however, applications must meet the assurance standard to be funded. 

• Applications will be submitted through a Citizen Space survey and assessed using distributed peer review. By submitting their statement of intent, applicants also agree to review other applications. 

• Opportunity opens: 2 October 2026 

• Application deadline: 29 October, 4:00PM