Strategic priorities
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) supports research, talent and innovation across a broad remit.
Our strategic priorities are:
Curiosity-driven research
EPSRC will continue to foster and strengthen a healthy research base across all of our core disciplines. We will actively curate a world-class portfolio by defining inputs and inviting ideas that might lead to a wide range of outcomes, whether that’s improving understanding within the academic sphere or working with a company on a practical outcome that might influence society or the economy.
We will work closely with our research communities to understand what is needed in each area, for example to help grow emerging areas, build new capabilities, or bring disciplines or communities together.
Strategic government and societal priorities
Engineering and physical sciences research has a critical role to play in delivering against government priorities, including the eight growth sectors identified in the Industrial Strategy. Our Executive Chair is the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the UKRI priority programmes that cover the following areas:
- Advanced Connectivity Technologies and Cybersecurity
- Semiconductors and AI Hardware
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- National Security and Defence
- Quantum Technologies
The other active programmes addressing priorities in the Industrial Strategy are:
- Advanced Manufacturing, including AgriTech
- Clean Energy
- Creative Industries
- Engineering Biology
- Financial, Professional and Business Services
- Life Sciences
The other active programmes addressing priorities wider than those in the Industrial Strategy are:
- Space
- Food, Animal and Plant Health
- Climate, Adaptation, Environment and Resilience
EPSRC is actively contributing to all of the UKRI priority programmes and our teams remain the domain and delivery experts for all aspects related to engineering and physical sciences. We will continue engaging with relevant research communities through our portfolios and thematic areas.
Supporting innovative companies
Whilst most support for companies is delivered through our colleagues at Innovate UK, EPSRC are active participants, providing domain expertise via the priority programmes and working closely to join-up the innovation pipeline.
We also invest in initiatives to accelerate impact and drive commercialisation within our areas of remit and seek to encourage industry collaborations across our entire research portfolio, wherever it may be beneficial.
Key enablers
Underpinning all of the priorities listed above is the need to support critical talent and infrastructure.
Talent and skills
EPSRC future-proof the STEM workforce through our doctoral opportunities, funding over half of the total PhD students supported by UKRI. Our fellowship provision provides targeted investment where it is most needed, and our New Investigator Awards continue to help brilliant researchers take a big step towards independence.
The best research outcomes come when different perspectives, experiences and areas of expertise come together. Inclusion not only strengthens the workforce, but also enhances research excellence and ensures the UK can deliver its ambitions in critical technologies and innovation. We aim to create a research and innovation environment for all, where respectful challenge is normal and everyone feels like they belong.
Infrastructure
Access to advanced facilities, equipment and digital research infrastructure is key to enabling world-class research and the translation into application and impact. EPSRC’s investment into infrastructure spans from equipment on grants through to regional and national facilities, including large-scale infrastructure that encourages a step-change in capability.
Alongside these investments, we work closely with the community on building the partnerships, making them accessible and supporting the skills required to realise their full potential.