Intent to submit
A mandatory intent to submit must be completed by 12 September 2025 4:00pm UK time. This will enable UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to prepare for the assessment process. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) intend to publish the details of the project lead, lead institution and the summary provided of each intent to submit. Please submit your intention to submit a full application to this funding opportunity via Citizen Space.
Full application
We are running this funding opportunity on the new 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.
To apply
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. If your organisation is not listed, email support@funding-service.ukri.org
Allow at least 10 working days for your organisation to be added to the Funding Service. We strongly suggest that if you are asking UKRI to add your organisation to the Funding Service to enable you to apply to this funding opportunity, that you also create an organisation Administration Account. This will be needed to allow the acceptance and management of any grant that might be offered to you.
- 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.
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 on 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 may 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.
Match funding
There is no specific match funding assessment criterion. However, UKRI will advise panel members to consider applicants’ plans to meet the 40:40:20 expectations over the lifetime of the focal award under the partnerships and governance criterion.
Following the assessment process, UKRI and the UK government will monitor institutional funding on successful awards. This will take into account the full economic cost of delivering doctoral training, beyond solely eligible costs in this opportunity.
To achieve the 40:40:20 balance, project partners are expected to contribute to the project, either with cash or in-kind contributions. Funding for additional or co-funded studentships, co-created with project partners, is especially welcome.
Deadline
EPSRC must receive your application by 23 October 2025 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 the funding opportunity, your application cannot be changed, and applications will not be returned for amendment. If your application does not follow the guidance, it may be rejected.
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.
All documents submitted to this funding opportunity will also be made available to MOD and DESNZ.
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.
Publication of outcomes
EPSRC, as part of UKRI, will publish the outcome of this funding opportunity on 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
Guidance for writing a summary
Clearly describe your proposed work in terms of:
- context
- the challenge the project addresses
- aims and objectives
- potential applications and benefits
Core team
List the key members of your team and assign them roles from the following:
- project lead (PL)
- project co-lead (UK) (PcL)
- specialist
- grant manager
- professional enabling staff
- technician
- visiting researcher
- researcher co-lead (RcL)
Only list one individual as project lead.
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.
The vision must be in line with the scope set out in the What we are looking for section. In particular, UK capability and capacity needs must be considered in terms of
UK government priorities as outlined in the latest spending review. These include those set out in the Strategic Defence Review and Industrial Strategy, including developing sovereign capability and capacity needs. Through this funding opportunity we are seeking to develop the skills needed by the sector over the next 10 to 20 years and encourage bids that support not just today’s fuel cycle but also uranics fuel cycles of the future and advanced nuclear technologies.
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. And also, operate across interdisciplinary, collaborative and challenge-led environments
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.
The proposed approach must be in line with the scope set out in the What we are looking for section.
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
As outlined in the opportunity, successful applicants will collaboratively develop detailed plans in this area. Given the word limit, it is recognised that application responses will be a high-level outline. However, applicants are expected to build upon this outline during delivery 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
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.
This will be assessed in the context of the scale and complexity of the programme proposed. It should link to the scope set out in the What we are looking for section.
The roles in funding applications policy has descriptions of the different project roles.
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
This criterion will be assessed in the context of your programme’s aims and the requirements set out in the opportunity guidance, including the scope set out in the What we are looking for section.
In this section, you should provide a summary of additional funding and non-cash contributions secured from project partners or collaborators, which can be used flexibly to provide support for uses including studentships, industrial placements and co-created workshops. If your application does not already achieve the balance of 40% UK government investment, 40% from project partners and 20% from organisations hosting students, applicants should demonstrate against this criterion a clear plan to maximise leverage from existing and new collaborations over the award lifetime towards this aim.
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 in-direct) 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 partner 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
- the page limit is 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 contributions template.
For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made.
Do not provide letters of support from host and project co-leads’ research organisations.
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 need to be justified where enhancements are requested above the UKRI minimum rate.
Total fees
Include 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
Ethics and responsible research and innovation (RRI)
Word limit: 500
What are the ethical or RRI implications and issues relating to the proposed work? If you do not think that the proposed training raises any ethical or RRI issues, explain why.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Demonstrate that you have identified and evaluated:
- the relevant ethical or responsible research and innovation considerations
- how you will manage these considerations
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.
Your application may be rejected if images are provided without a descriptive legend in the text box, or are used to replace text that could be input into the text box.
Facilities
Word limit: 500
Does your proposed research require the support and use of a facility?
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, 42KB)
- 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.
