Introduction	Flexible research funding in any area of EPSRC's remit
Funding	Any amount and length of funding, no closing dates

Responsive Mode Funding

Our responsive mode funding is very flexible. We fund projects ranging from small travel grants to multi-million pound research programmes. You can apply for whatever length of funding you require, whether it is a month or six years.

You can apply for funding for a wide range of activities, including research projects, feasibility studies, instrument development, equipment, travel and collaboration, and long-term funding to develop or maintain critical mass. We particularly want to encourage high-risk/high-return research proposals relating to new concepts or techniques. There are no closing dates so you can apply at any time.

EPSRC's Remit and Funding across Research Councils

The majority of the research you are proposing should be within the areas of engineering and the physical sciences.

• EPSRC remit – what research areas we cover
  
  
• Funding across research councils – how we deal with proposals at the boundaries of our remit

Collaboration

We encourage research collaborations with business and the public sector, particularly where they can help research advances and the take-up of results.

• Guidance on collaborating – intellectual property, collaboration agreements, letters of support, confidentiality

If you want to work with another university, we are happy to receive proposals from two or more organisations that, when taken together, form a coherent project.

• Projects made up of multiple proposals

How to Apply

Before applying, you'll need to check that you are eligible to receive funding from EPSRC. Our funding guide covers eligibility, together with what you can apply for and grant terms and conditions.

• EPSRC funding guide (Word or PDF) – for rules and regulations

Proposals should be submitted through the Research Councils' Joint Electronic Submission (Je-S) System. Select document type 'standard research'. You need a Je-S account so that you can prepare and submit your proposal.

• Je-S system – to prepare and submit proposals
  
  
• How to Apply – for guidance on writing proposals

What Happens Next

When we receive your responsive mode proposal, we check that the documentation is complete and that the research proposed is within our remit. We then register it on our system and assign it to the most appropriate programme. The main criterion for assessing proposals is research quality as determined by independent peer review. We will send your proposal to at least three referees for their comments. If there is sufficient support, your proposal will generally be considered in competition with others at a prioritisation panel.

• Responsive mode prioritisation panels – programme areas and panels
  
  
• Assessing proposals – information about the peer review process
  
  
• Progress report – check the progress of your proposal

Contacts

Please contact us if you have any questions. We are happy to talk to you about your ideas for research projects, and can advise you about EPSRC’s remit and potential sources of funding. If you're planning to apply for funding for a large project, for example with a large consortium or more than one research theme, please talk to us before you submit a proposal.

• Search EPSRC staff contacts to find the person responsible for your research area.