Expression of interest (EOI)
You must submit a mandatory EOI in the form of an email sent to ict.theme@epsrc.ukri.org by 5 November 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.
This is for planning and organisational purposes and will not form part of the assessment. The email should indicate:
- that you intend to apply for the funding opportunity
- who the lead applicant will be
- any planned collaborating institutions
Applications may be developed and expanded with more (or fewer) collaborators prior to submission, and this will not affect your application. You may appear in more than one EOI, but an individual institution and individual applicant can only be the lead of one application.
Applications to this funding opportunity will not be considered if:
- you do no submit an EOI
- you submit your EOI after 5 November at 4:00pm (UK time)
- you submit more than one EOI as a lead applicant. You should consult your research office to avoid multiple applications inadvertently being submitted
- institutions submit more than one application as a lead
To apply
We are running this funding opportunity on the new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service so please ensure that your organisation is registered. You cannot apply on the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system.
The project lead is responsible for completing the application process on the Funding Service, but we expect all team members and project partners to contribute to the application.
Only the lead research organisation can submit an application to UKRI.
Select ‘Start application’ near the beginning of this Funding finder page.
- Confirm you are the project lead.
- Sign in or create a Funding Service account. To create an account, select your organisation, verify your email address, and set a password.
- Answer questions directly in the text boxes. You can save your answers and come back to complete them or work offline and return to copy and paste your answers. If we need you to upload a document, follow the upload instructions in the Funding Service. All questions and assessment criteria are listed in the How to apply section on this Funding finder page.
- Allow enough time to check your application in ‘read-only’ view before sending to your research office.
- Send the completed application to your research office for checking. They will return it to you if it needs editing.
- Your research office will submit the completed and checked application to UKRI.
Please be aware that research office and finance teams undertake checks on hosting arrangements and financial eligibility. The ultimate responsibility for ensuring compliance with all opportunity requirements lies with the applicant.
Where indicated, you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant.
When including images, you must:
- provide a descriptive caption or legend for each image immediately underneath it in the text box (this must be outside the image and counts towards your word limit)
- insert each new image onto a new line
- use files smaller than 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format
Images should only be used to convey important visual information that cannot easily be put into words. The following are not permitted, and your application will be rejected if you include:
- sentences or paragraphs of text
- tables
- excessive quantities of images
A few words are permitted where the image would lack clarity without the contextual words, such as a diagram, where text labels are required for an axis or graph column.
For more guidance on the Funding Service, see:
References
References should be included within the word count of the appropriate question section. You should use your discretion when including references and prioritise those most pertinent to the application.
Hyperlinks can be used in reference information. When including references, you should consider how your references will be viewed and used by the assessors, ensuring that:
- references are easily identifiable by the assessors
- references are formatted as appropriate to your research
- persistent identifiers are used where possible
General use of hyperlinks
Applications should be self-contained. You should only use hyperlinks to link directly to reference information. You must not include links to web resources to extend your application. Assessors are not required to access links to conduct assessment or recommend a funding decision.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI)
Use of generative AI tools to prepare funding applications is permitted, however, caution should be applied.
For more information see our policy on the use of generative AI in application and assessment.
Deadline
EPSRC must receive your application by 2 December at 4:00pm UK time.
You will not be able to apply after this time.
Make sure you are aware of and follow any internal institutional deadlines.
Following the submission of your application to this funding opportunity, your application cannot be changed, and submitted applications will not be amended. If your application does not follow the guidance, it may be rejected.
If an application is withdrawn prior to peer review or office rejected due to substantive errors in the application, it cannot be resubmitted to the opportunity.
Personal data
Processing personal data
EPSRC, as part of UKRI, will need to collect some personal information to manage your Funding Service account and the registration of your funding applications.
We will handle personal data in line with UK data protection legislation and manage it securely. For more information, including how to exercise your rights, read our privacy notice.
Sensitive information
If you or a core team member need to tell us something you wish to remain confidential, email TFSchangeEPSRC@epsrc.ukri.org
Include in the subject line: [the funding opportunity title; sensitive information; your Funding Service application number].
Typical examples of confidential information include:
- individual is unavailable until a certain date (for example due to parental leave)
- declaration of interest
- additional information about eligibility to apply that would not be appropriately shared in the ‘Applicant and team capability’ section
- conflict of interest for UKRI to consider in reviewer or panel participant selection
- the application is an invited resubmission
For information about how UKRI handles personal data, read UKRI’s privacy notice.
Institutional matched funding
There is no requirement for matched funding from the institutions hosting the project lead, project co-leads or other staff employed on the application, such as specialists or technicians, beyond costs that are not eligible in this opportunity. Expert reviewers and panels assessing UKRI funding applications must not consider levels of institutional matched funding as a factor on which to base recommendations. Direct and in-kind contributions from third party project partners are encouraged.
This policy does not remove the need for support from host organisations who must provide the necessary research environment and infrastructure for award-specific activities funded by UKRI. For example, research facilities, training and development of staff.
Direct and in-kind contributions from third party project partners are expected. Funding for additional or co-funded studentships, co-created with project partners, is especially welcome.
Publication of outcomes
EPSRC, as part of UKRI, will publish the outcomes of this funding opportunity at EPSRC Funding Applications Outcomes
If your application is successful, we will publish some personal information on the UKRI Gateway to Research.
Summary
Word limit: 550
In plain English, provide a summary we can use to identify the most suitable experts to assess your application.
We usually make this summary publicly available on external-facing websites, therefore do not include any confidential or sensitive information. Make it suitable for a variety of readers, for example:
- opinion-formers
- policymakers
- the public
- the wider research community
Core team
List the key members of your team and assign them roles from the following:
- project lead (PL)
- project co-lead (UK) (PcL)
- grant manager
- professional enabling staff
- specialist
- technician
Only list one individual as project lead.
If partner HEPs are hosting studentships to have access to the grants, they need to be listed as a project co-lead on the ‘Team’ section of the award.
UKRI has introduced a new addition to the ‘Specialist’ role type. Public contributors such as people with lived experience can now be added to an application.
Find out more about UKRI’s core team roles in funding applications.
Application questions
Vision
Word limit: 500
What will this training investment achieve? How will this support UK capability and capacity needs and why is it important that UKRI support this activity?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Please outline:
- a clear vision, and objectives that will make a positive contribution to the scope of this investment opportunity and deliver high-quality doctoral education with tracking measures
- the positive outcomes and impact for society and the economy that the investment is aiming to deliver. Describe the strategies to deliver these, grounded in a model that results in highly skilled doctoral graduates, employable across a range of sectors and careers
- how your vision aligns and will positively contribute to relevant wider strategies and priorities, including national capability and capacity needs. If relevant, describe how it will provide additionality to your existing doctoral provision
References may be included within this section.
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.
Approach
Word limit: 1,500
How will the doctoral training programme, that you deliver through this grant, support your vision, and align with UKRI’s ambitions for its doctoral investments?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Explain how your choice of training programme will:
- deliver your vision and any specific requirements set out in the opportunity documentation, including why this approach is necessary to achieve your expected outcomes
- embed delivery of UKRI’s statement of expectations for its students so that the programme provides a holistic approach that delivers high-quality doctoral research. Also, how it integrates in-depth subject knowledge, research and methodological skills, and wider skills development opportunities
- embed delivery of UKRI’s statement of expectations for its students so that the programme supports students to build their understanding of what conducting high-quality research involves
- embed delivery of UKRI’s statement of expectations for its students so that the programme prepares globally competitive researchers, able to use their skills to thrive in a range of sectors and careers.
- operate across interdisciplinary, collaborative and challenge-led environments
- effectively determine and actively manage the flexibility afforded to tailor individual student training and development
References may be included within this section.
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.
Positive culture and environment
Word limit: 750
How will you create and maintain an inclusive and supportive culture and environment for all those involved?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Explain how your doctoral training programme will:
- create and maintain a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students and staff involved, addressing a variety of needs and supporting good wellbeing, including relevant, specific support and training for supervisors where needed
- champion and embed equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) for students and staff, across all aspects of the training grant, including supervision, training design and approaches, and flexible student support
- explain how you will undertake subsequent updates and reviews across the lifetime of the award
Capability to deliver
Word limit: 750
Who will lead and drive delivery of this application’s vision?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Demonstrate that those leading the delivery of this award have:
- secured the appropriate research and pastoral capacity to support the number of studentships that you expect to deliver through this award
- a well-evidenced track record of the experience and skills needed to deliver the proposed vision, training programme, and scale
- a well-evidenced track record of contributing to a positive research culture and the wider community
- a well-evidenced track record of supporting the training and development of others, particularly previous involvement in delivering doctoral training successfully
Partnerships and governance
Word limit: 750
How will the training grant be governed, and partnerships or relationships be supported and managed, to maximise benefit and minimise risk?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Provide evidence that partners are committed to:
- working together, with effective two-way engagement
- positively and constructively contributing to the delivery of the doctoral training programme and the training experiences of the students, with students clearly benefitting from these interactions
Within the Partnerships and governance section, we also expect you to provide evidence that there is an established, clear and effective governance and risk management structure for the training grant award that:
- is appropriate for the size and complexity of the doctoral programme and ensures continuity of the programme’s capabilities
- supports continual improvement, monitoring, and evaluation
- manages the legal duties of the programme and providers
- supports UKRI’s expectations to create value for society in an ethical and responsible way through relevant frameworks
Costs
Word limit: 500
What will you need to deliver your proposed work and how much will it cost?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Provide a single, overall grant value for your proposal with a cost breakdown across the relevant funding headings.
The overall or individual funding levels do not need to be justified where these have been mandated by UKRI.
Through the cost template, indicate the total number of students that you expect your programme will support (across all funding sources). Also indicate the number of full-time equivalent studentships that either UKRI has indicated it will support or you are requesting.
Outline the main uses of the following funding:
Total – RTSG – research support costs
Outline your approach to costing the research and training costs associated with individual studentship projects or tailored, individual student training in support of your vision and approach.
Total – other costs – programme-wide initiatives
Outline costs of group training and other overarching activities through the programme that will support your vision and approach.
Total – staff – management costs connected to programme delivery
You must not include costs standard to all doctoral studentships for example not general administration or supervision.
You do not need to justify the following unless the funding opportunity has afforded you flexibility:
Total – student stipend
Stipend costs only, where enhancements are requested.
Total – fees
Tuition fee costs only, for example requests above UKRI’s standard level.
You should describe any co-funder contributions to the programme’s costs.
Assessors are not looking for detailed costs or a line-by-line breakdown of all resources. Overall, they want you to demonstrate how the resources you anticipate needing for your proposed work:
- are comprehensive, appropriate, and justified
- represent the optimal use of resources to achieve the intended outcomes
- maximise potential outcomes and impacts
Technical scope and training programme
Word limit: 1,000
How will the proposed centre deliver comprehensive doctoral training across very large-scale integration design, advanced compute architecture, and system-level capabilities?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
The assessors are looking for:
- comprehensive training in very large-scale integration design, including proficiency with electronic design automation tools and validation processes
- integration of modern compute architectures, hardware-software co-design, and systems-on-chip capabilities
- strong emphasis on the core tenets of resilience, security, and sustainability, including low-power and energy-efficient systems
- practical knowledge of manufacturing constraints, physical assembly, and packaging improvements
- clear application of these capabilities to AI hardware solutions, such as AI accelerators or distributed compute
- utilisation of UK strengths in optoelectronics, photonic integrated circuits, or compound semiconductors
Contextual information
The UK faces constraints in scaling talent and translating research capability into industrial impact. There is a shortage of advanced chip design and verification skills, alongside limited capacity to train interdisciplinary researchers at the intersection of hardware and AI systems.
To support your response, you can include examples of technology-agnostic problem statements that students might tackle, such as enabling AI workloads in low-power data centres.
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.
References may be included within this section.
Industry co-creation and placements
Word limit: 500
How will industry partners play a central role in the delivery of the training programme and doctoral research projects?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
The assessors are looking for:
- evidence of co-designed research projects and shared supervision, aligning doctoral work with industry priorities
- clear strategies for industry placements giving students hands-on experience in commercial semiconductor environments
- provision of access to critical infrastructure, such as electronic design automation tools, intellectual property libraries, and compute resources
- commitments from industry experts to contribute to mentoring and teaching, supporting the development of industry-ready skills
Contextual information
Industry partners are expected to play a central role in delivery through a combination of direct placements, technical enablement, and co-delivery of training and research. This ensures training reflects real-world design environments and supports sovereign capability and growth.
To support your response, you can include details on the minimum number of mandatory placements per cohort or specific commitments of matched funding and collaborative studentships.
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.
References may be included within this section.
Project partners
Add details about any project partners’ contributions. If there are no project partners, you can indicate this on the Funding Service.
A project partner is a collaborating organisation who will have an integral role in the proposed research. This may include direct contributions for example cash, donated equipment and resources, or staff seconded to the project, or indirect and in-kind contributions for example use of project partner’s equipment, datasets, or facilities. Project partners may be in industry, academia, third sector or government organisations in the UK or overseas, including partners based in the EU.
Add the following project partner details:
- the organisation name and address (searchable via a drop-down list or enter the organisation’s details manually, as applicable)
- the project partner contact name and email address
- the type of contribution (direct or indirect) and its monetary value
If a detail is entered incorrectly and you have saved the entry, remove the specific project partner record and re-add it with the correct information.
For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made.
Project partners: letters (or emails) of support
Upload a single PDF containing the letters or emails of support from each partner you named in the ‘Project partners’ section. These should be uploaded in English or Welsh only.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Enter the words ‘attachment supplied’ in the text box, or if you do not have any project partners enter N/A. Each letter or email you provide should:
- confirm the partner’s commitment to the project
- clearly explain the value, relevance, and possible benefits of the work to them
- describe any additional value that they bring to the project
- have a page limit of two sides A4 per partner
The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply.
If you do not have any project partners, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Ensure you have prior agreement from project partners so that, if you are offered funding, they will support your project as indicated in the ‘Project partners’ section.
For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made.
Data management and sharing
Word limit: 100
How will you manage and share data collected or acquired through the proposed research?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Provide a data management plan that clearly details how you will comply with UKRI’s published data sharing policy, which includes detailed guidance notes.
Facilities
Word limit: 100
Does your proposed research require the support and use of a facility?
The ARCHER2 service will end on 21 November 2026 and UKRI is currently transitioning to a new compute landscape. Until details of new compute provision are confirmed, applicants who require HPC resources beyond November 2026 have been advised to select ARCHER2 at application and to describe their compute requirements in full.
Other compute investments to be aware of include:
What the assessors are looking for in your response
If you will need to use a facility, follow your proposed facility’s normal access request procedures. Ensure you have prior agreement so that if you are offered funding, they will support the use of their facility on your project.
For each requested facility you will need to provide the:
- name of facility, copied and pasted from the facility information list (DOCX, 43KB)
- proposed usage or costs, or costs per unit where indicated on the facility
- information list
- confirmation you have their agreement where required
Facilities should only be named if they are on the facility information list above. If you will not need to use a facility, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I)
Trusted Research and Innovation is the protection of the UK’s intellectual property, sensitive research, people, and infrastructure from potential theft, misuse, and exploitation.
Organisations receiving UKRI funding are obliged to act in line with UK government legislation. They are also expected to undertake appropriate due diligence assessments of organisations involved in research partnerships, collaboration agreements, and commercial contracts.
You will be asked about:
- which areas of the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act your project relates to
- who you intend to collaborate with and how
- whether your project requires an export control licence
Your answers may affect the T&Cs of your funding agreement if you are successful. We may use your answers to determine that our current T&Cs are sufficient or if additional T&Cs are required.
