Individual items of equipment between £25,000 and £400,000 can be included on applications for individual research projects if both of the following apply:
- the equipment is essential to the proposed research
- no appropriate alternative provision can be accessed
Find out about EPSRC’s approach to equipment funding.
Additional justification of the requirement for individual items of equipment between £25,000 and £400,000, and details of the proposed contribution to the cost of the equipment, must be provided in the Resources and cost justification section in the Funding Service.
Different funding opportunities may have different rules on what equipment is eligible and what justification is required. Read and use the instructions on the relevant funding opportunity before applying.
Preparing your application
EPSRC will contribute 80% of the final purchase price and will expect the research organisation or project partner to contribute the remainder from non-EPSRC funding. The full economic cost value in the Funding Service should be the total, quoted cost of the equipment. The research council contribution should be the amount requested from EPSRC (80%). EPSRC reserves the right to negotiate the percentage contribution in some cases if the proposed contribution is not affordable.
For joint applications, we expect the applicants and their research organisations or project partners to agree amongst themselves the following:
- the levels of contribution from the different organisations
- the ownership and hosting arrangements for the equipment
Information should be provided in the resources and cost justification.
Reviewers will be asked to comment explicitly on the viability of the arrangements described to access equipment needed for this project, and particularly on any university or third-party contribution. The reviewers and panel will be asked to consider the proposed contribution in relation to the value for money of the application. This may influence the final position of the application in the rank ordered list.
Examples of eligible equipment costs include:
- high-specification computers
- laboratory and workshop equipment
- software, as well as computer hardware dedicated to the operation of the requested equipment
- installation costs and costs of major essential modifications necessary to house equipment, for example, clean rooms or extension of air conditioning
Quotations
The quotation information you need to provide depends on the equipment value (equipment values include VAT).
Equipment under £25,000
No quotes required.
Equipment £25,000 and above
Three verbal quotes to be detailed in the resources and cost justification. Written quotes are not required as part of the application, but EPSRC reserve the right to request them later, prior to releasing funds. If there is a sole supplier or fewer than three (verbal) quotes this should be explained as part of the resources and cost justification.
Usage
For equipment dedicated to research grants, justification will need to be provided that the equipment requested is necessary to undertake the research and that a practical alternative is not available. The equipment should be primarily dedicated to the use of the project for its duration. Any spare time available on the equipment when not being used by the lead applicant and their team for the project may be made available at the discretion of the laboratory manager where the equipment is sited. Costs may be recovered in these circumstances.
For Strategic Infrastructure and Core Equipment applications, indicate the proportion of equipment time that will be available for use by the group managing the equipment, other groups at the same institution, researchers at other institutions, and any other anticipated users (such as industrial partners).
Indicate how additional users of the equipment will be identified and how all users will be prioritised. Information should be provided on the anticipated demand, indicating the likely main users and where they will be based. You should describe how you plan to interact and collaborate with key groups or shared facilities in your research area.
It is acceptable for the equipment to be used entirely by one research group although this would need to be very carefully justified. EPSRC are looking to maximise the usage of equipment for high quality research, not necessarily to share it as widely as possible.
Support
Indicate how the item of equipment will be supported and maintained for the duration of any current or proposed research funding. Include any costs that would be recouped through charging.
Strategic case
Describe the research enabled by the equipment and the value added to existing research programmes by:
- indicating which of the EPSRC’s strategic priorities are met by the research enabled by this equipment
- describing how these priorities are met
- explaining how the purchase of this item of equipment will compliment or enhance regional or national research capability. If an equipment roadmap exists for the type of equipment requested, explain how this item and the planned research relates to the roadmap
Ensuring maximum value
Explain how the requested equipment will fit with other items of equipment, infrastructure and people support already at your university. Indicate how the requested item or items fit the strategy of your department and institution.
Contribution from other sources
Describe what contributions to the cost, operation or maintenance of the item of equipment will be found from other sources.
Alternatives
In the case that the application for equipment is not supported, describe the alternative options for using existing equipment of a different specification or at other locations.
Last updated: 28 April 2025