The need for a strategic approach
EPSRC supports excellent, long term research and high quality postgraduate training in order to contribute to the economic competitiveness of the UK and the quality of life of its people. At any one time we are supporting a portfolio of research and training between £2-3billion.
To maintain the UK's global research standing in light of increasing international competition, and with limited funding available to us, we must focus our investments to remain internationally leading in areas that are of long-term strategic importance to the UK.
In future, all our investment decisions will be based on the international excellence of the research and its national importance, while continuing to encourage the free generation of ideas and curiosity-based research.
More detail on the approach can be found in the Shaping Capability section of Implementing the Delivery Plan.
You will find more information about the individual themes' approaches at the following locations: