To support more researchers early in their careers, EPSRC has reintroduced a financial cap on its First Grants scheme as an interim measure prior to a more detailed review of this type of grant and its objectives.

The First Grant scheme is one mechanism that provides support for new academics at the start of their careers. Concerns have been raised about the scheme following an increase in demand for these grants and an increase in the average amount of funding being applied for. This has led to EPSRC not being able to support as many talented young researchers as it would like to through this scheme.

Financial cap and time limit
 
From 6 January 2009, the cap on First Grant submissions will be £125,000 (calculated at 100% full economic costs - with EPSRC contributing at 80% fEC) and a maximum duration of 2 years.

We have set this limit to allow us to fund appropriate numbers of successful first grants and taking into account the typical level of resources that a first grant applicant would need to devote a suitable proportion of their time to a first research project.  We still expect these proposals to be accompanied by a statement from the host university which describes the commitment that the university is making to the development of the applicant’s research career. Applications will continue to be assessed in competition with other first grant proposals and will need to pass a quality threshold. 
 
If you wish to submit a proposal for a project which requires resources above this limit, you are free to submit the proposal as a standard research grant.

Proposals currently being prepared

If you have been preparing a proposal with a larger financial limit and duration but it will not be submitted until after 5 January 2009 you can now either re-write your proposal to conform to the new limits or submit your proposal as a standard research grant.

Recently submitted proposals

If you have submitted your proposal before 6 January 2009 your submission will continue to be processed under the previous arrangements and be assessed in competition with similar proposals.

Further information

• First grant scheme
  Background, eligibility, how to apply, host organisation statement, frequently asked questions, contacts
  
  
• Funding guide
  Includes terms and conditions agreed across all research councils for full economic cost and pre-full economic cost research grants and fellowships.