If you intend to submit a joint UK-Japan proposal to this funding opportunity, you are strongly encouraged to submit an Expression of interest.
Following this, the Japan and the UK team will need to develop a joint application and submit their applications by parallel submission by following sequence of steps. The project lead in UK is responsible for submitting the joint application via the UKRI Funding Service. The principal investigator from Japan must be listed as the project partner on the Funding Service.
Step 1: The Japan-based principal investigator (project partner) completes the e-Rad application first, but it is not to be submitted at this stage. They are to send this to the UK project lead.
Step 2: The UK project leads should complete their application on the Funding Service, attach the e-Rad application and submit on the UKRI Funding Service. After submission, they should download the completed joint proposal and share a copy in PDF format securely with the Japan-based principal investigator (project partner) of the counterpart team in Japan.
Step 3: The Japan-based principal investigator should then complete the e-Rad application submission by attaching a copy of the Funding Service application and complete any additional information requested by National Institute Of Information And Communications Technology (NICT). Japan based principal investigator (project partners) read more information.
UKRI Funding Service (UK applicants only)
We are running this funding opportunity on the new 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.
- 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 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 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.
NICT Funding Service (Japan based project partners only)
For Japan-based applicants, the following contents will be requested by NICT as part of the application form:
The principal investigator is responsible for the overall application and must propose the most appropriate research framework to achieve its objectives.
In the case of applications involving multiple research institutions, the lead applicant must compile and submit the entire application, including the contributions of all co-applicants.
The above additional information must be merged with the PDF of the joint application provided by the UK based project lead and submitted via the Cross-Ministerial Research and Development Management System (e-Rad). Please see the NICT call website for details.
- funding opportunity title (Japanese): 革新的情報通信技術（Beyond 5G（6G））基金事業 要素技術・シーズ創出型プログラム「日英国際共同研究開発プロジェクト」
- funding opportunity title (English): UK-Japan research programme under the Elemental Technology and Seeds Creation Programme of the Innovative ICT Fund Project for Beyond 5G/6G
Deadline
Expression of interest deadline 8 September 2026 at 4pm UK time (BST).
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) must receive your application by 6 October 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.
NICT must receive your full application by 7 October 2026 at 12:00 pm Japan time (JST).
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.
Please note: Submission of an Expression of Interest (EoI) does not guarantee that the proposed research falls within remit or that applicants meet eligibility requirements. EoIs are collected for information purposes only for EPSRC and NICT and will not undergo formal assessment. All eligibility and remit checks will be conducted solely at the full application stage.
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.
EPSRC, as part of UKRI, will need to share the application and any personal information that it contains with NICT so that they can participate in the assessment process. See more information on how NICT uses personal information.
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.
For further information surrounding how NICT manages sensitive information please review NICT’s privacy statement.
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, beyond the standard 20% FEC. 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.
Publication of outcomes
EPSRC, as part of UKRI, will publish the outcomes of this funding opportunity at What EPSRC has funded.
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
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
For UK applicants, list the key members of your team and assign them roles from the following:
- project lead (PL)
- project co-lead (UK) (PcL)
- specialist
- professional enabling staff
- research and innovation associate
- technician
- visiting researcher
- researcher co-lead (RcL)
Only list one individual as project lead.
Please do not include details of Japanese team members in the ‘Core team’ section. All Japan based team members must be listed as the project partner on TFS.
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.
Japan based project partners
Word limit: 250
The Japanese collaborating research organisation(s) should be included as project partners on the application, with the total contribution reflecting the NICT funding request.
You should include a Project Partner Letter of Support summarising their contribution to the project, this should be signed by an authorised institutional representative from the Japanese partner institutions (for example, their research office or university administration). More details about the Japanese project team can be included under the ‘Applicant and team capability to deliver’ section. This can include key members of the Japan team such as principal investigators, Co-I, research participants and outgoing researcher(s).
For more information about Japan-based team composition, please see the NICT Application Guidelines for details.
Application questions
The following questions will be included via the Funding Service:
- Vision and Approach
- Research partnership
- Applicant and team capability to deliver
- Resources and cost justification
- Ethics and responsible research and innovation (RRI)
For UK applicants, the following questions will be included in the Funding Service:
- Additional documentation: NICT-EPSRC joint application form
- Project partners
- Project partners letters (or emails) of support
- Facilities
- Trusted research and innovation
- Ethics and responsible research and innovation (Additional sub-questions)
- Data management and sharing
- Duplication
Vision and Approach
Create a document that includes your responses to all criteria. The document should not be more than [11] sides of A4, single spaced in paper in 11-point Arial (or equivalent sans serif font) with margins of at least 2cm. You may include images, graphs, tables. You can have an additional page for a diagrammatic workplan.
For the file name, use the unique Funding Service number the system gives you when you create an application, followed by the words ‘Vision and Approach’.
Save this document as a single PDF file, no bigger than 8MB. Unless specifically requested, please do not include any sensitive personal data within the attachment.
If the attachment does not meet these requirements, the application will be rejected.
The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply.
What are you hoping to achieve with the funding and how will you deliver your proposed work?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
For the Vision, explain how your proposed work:
- is of excellent quality and importance within or beyond the field(s) or area(s)
- has the potential to advance current understanding, generates new knowledge, thinking or discovery within or beyond the field or area
- is timely given current trends, context and needs
- impacts world-leading research, society, the economy or the environment
Within the Vision section we also expect you to explain how your proposed work:
- is relevant to at least one of the scope areas and high-level objectives of this funding opportunity and should be within EPSRC and NICT remits.
For the Approach, explain how you have designed your work so that it:
- is effective and appropriate to achieve your objectives
- is feasible, and comprehensively identifies any risks to delivery and how they will be managed
- if applicable, uses a clear and transparent methodology
- if applicable, summarises the previous work and describes how this will be built upon and progressed
- will maximise translation of outputs into outcomes and impacts
- describes how your, and if applicable your team’s, research environment (in terms of the place, and relevance to the project) will contribute to the success of the work
Within the Approach section we also expect you to:
- clarify the division of the research between the teams in Japan and the UK
- provide a detailed and comprehensive project plan including milestones and timelines in the form of a Gantt chart or similar
References may be included within this section.
Research partnership
Word limit: 1,500
How does your proposed work involve collaboration between UK and Japan?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Demonstrate how the research partnership:
- involves high-level international joint research aimed at enhancing scientific and technological capabilities for both countries
- deliver the research strengths, added value and synergies that can be achieved through UK-Japan collaboration
- demonstrates a clear and feasible division of roles between the Japanese and UK research, throughout the research period
- has an appropriate approach for building and expanding the international collaboration
- involves research exchanges and collaborations that are equitable and mutually beneficial for both countries
- advances the research field in both Japan and the UK
When providing a response you are expected to:
- describe in detail how your proposed work will add value to the advancement of the research field and the relevant research community
- describe your specific plans for building and expanding your international network through this proposal, with the aim of building, involving and developing a world-class international research community
You are able to include embedded graphics, images, charts and tables within this section to aid with response. Use of embedded graphics, images, charts and tables should only be used as necessary.
Applicant and team capability to deliver
Word limit: 1,650
Why are you the right individual or team to successfully deliver the proposed work?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Evidence of how you, and if relevant your team, have:
- the relevant experience (appropriate to career stage) to deliver the proposed work
- the right balance of skills and expertise to cover the proposed work
- the appropriate leadership and management skills to deliver the work and your approach to develop others
- contributed to developing a positive research environment and wider community
- sufficient research achievements to demonstrate current or potential high level of international standing within global research community within relevant research fields
- an established record of relevant technology research which clearly and purposefully contributes to the scope stated in the funding opportunity
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.
UK applicants
The word limit for this section is 1,650 words: 1,150 words to be used for Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) modules (including references) and, if necessary, a further 500 words for Additions.
Use the R4RI format to showcase the range of relevant skills you and, if relevant, your team (project and project co-leads, researchers, technicians, specialists, partners and so on) have and how this will help deliver the proposed work. You can include individuals’ specific achievements but only choose past contributions that best evidence their ability to deliver this work.
Complete this section using the R4RI module headings listed. Use each heading once and include a response for the whole team, see the UKRI guidance on R4RI. You should consider how to balance your answer, and emphasise where appropriate the key skills each team member brings:
- contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies, or knowledge
- the development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships
- contributions to the wider research and innovation community
- contributions to broader research or innovation users and audiences and towards wider societal benefit
Additions
Provide any further details relevant to your application. This section is optional and can be up to 500 words. You should not use it to describe additional skills, experiences, or outputs, but you can use it to describe any factors that provide context for the rest of your R4RI (for example, details of career breaks if you wish to disclose them).
Complete this as a narrative. Do not format it like a CV.
References may be included within this section.
The roles in funding applications policy has descriptions of the different project roles.
Japan based project partners
Japan-based applicants should describe the achievements of Japan-based principal investigators by using the Japan-UK Advanced Connectivity Technologies Application Form This should be submitted to the Cross-Ministerial Research and Development Management System (e-Rad).
For further details please see NICT-EPSRC application form.
Resources and cost justification
Word limit: 2,000
What will you need to deliver your proposed work and how much will it cost?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Justify the application’s more costly resources, in particular:
- project staff
- significant travel for field work or collaboration (but not regular travel between collaborating organisations or to conferences)
- any consumables beyond typical requirements, or that are required in exceptional quantities
- all facilities and infrastructure costs
- all resources that have been costed as ‘Exceptions’
You can request costs associated with reasonable adjustments where they increase as a direct result of working on the project. For further information see Disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders. Where a funding limit is imposed on the opportunity, requested costs for reasonable adjustments may exceed the maximum funding amount.
Assessors are not looking for detailed costs or a line-by-line breakdown of all project 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
Resources and cost justification for Japan-based applicants, please check the NICT Application Guidelines for details.
Assessors will only assess the application resources and cost justification as displayed and entered via the Funding Service.
Ethics and responsible research and innovation (RRI)
What are the ethical and RRI considerations, implications and issues relating to the proposed work? If you do not think that the proposed work 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 and RRI considerations, including both the research or topic area itself and the design and delivery of the project
- the wider implications of the proposed work, and how you will maximise the positive societal, environmental, and economic benefits arising from the project, whilst minimising unintended negative impacts, such as research misuse or accidental harm
- how you will manage these considerations throughout the lifecycle of the project
If you are collecting or using data you should identify:
- any legal and ethical considerations of collecting, releasing and storing the data (including consent, confidentiality, anonymisation, security and other ethical considerations and, in particular, strategies to not preclude further reuse of data)
- formal information standards that your proposed work will comply with
Additional sub-questions (to be answered only if appropriate) relating to research involving:
- animals
- human participants
- genetically modified organisms
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.
Please refer to the UKRI position statement on funding ethical research and Responsible innovation for more information around our expectations on ethical and responsible research and innovation.
For NICT’s Ethics and responsible research and Innovation, please check the NICT Application guidelines for details.
Animal involvement and “3Rs”
You must complete this section about how your proposed project will involve or impact animals.
If your project does not involve or impact animals, you must confirm this on the next page.
You may be asked about:
- what animals you are involving
- the severity of the procedures you are using
- where the procedures will take place
- welfare standards you aim to meet
- the relevance of your project to the development, validation or dissemination of the 3Rs
You may also need to download, complete, and upload at least one set of additional questions. You will be told how to do this towards the end of this section.
To complete this section and check whether your project is in the scope of the questions, refer to the UKRI policy for research and innovation involving animals.
What counts as an animal
UKRI policy relates to all animals in the Kingdom Animalia, including vertebrates and invertebrates.
Genetically modified organisms and biological risk
You must complete this section if your project will include genetically modified organisms or genetic technologies.
If your project does not involve genetically modified organisms or genetic technologies, you must confirm this on the next page.
You may be asked about:
- the type of organism your project will involve and the procedures your project will include
- the intended use of the organism or genetic technology
- the genetic, biological and environmental risks of your project
For more information, see UKRI’s guidance on genetic technologies.
Human participation in health-related research
You must complete this section about whether your project will include human participation.
If your project does not involve human participation, you must confirm this on the next page.
You may be asked about:
- what type of human participation your project includes
- the project design for human participation
- the phase of the clinical trial
- whether the project will be in an NHS setting, if so, how the project will be registered
- whether diversity and inclusion will be considered
For more information, see UKRI’s guidance for human participants in research.
Additional documentation: NICT-EPSRC joint application form
This question is included in the UKRI Funding Service.
Word limit: 10
Japan based project partners are required to submit the below additional information using NICT-EPSRC joint application form through NICT’s Cross-Ministerial Research and Development Management System (e-Rad).
For further information please see NICT-EPSRC Application form.
Please upload a PDF attachment of the NICT-EPSRC joint application form as it will be submitted to NICT’s Cross-Ministerial Research and Development Management System (e-Rad).
For the file name, use the unique Funding Service number the system gives you when you create an application, followed by the words ‘NICT-EPSRC Joint Advanced Connectivity Technologies Application Form’.
Save this document as a single PDF file, no bigger than 8MB.
If the attachment does not meet these requirements, the application will be rejected.
The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply.
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.
An institutional statement in support of the joint submission must be provided by each Japanese partner organisation in the application submission, provided in your Project Partner Letter of Support. This statement should be in the form of a signed letter from an authorised institutional representative including the following text: “I confirm on behalf of [insert name or institution] that the Japan-UK Collaborative proposal between [insert name of UK project lead and institution] and [insert Japan PI and institution] is endorsed and has been submitted by [name of research office]”.
Data management and sharing
Word limit: 1,000
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 (UK applicants only)
Word limit: 250
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.
Duplication (for UK applicants)
Word limit: 800
Applications submitted to this funding opportunity should not have substantial overlap (in terms of research vision and level of collaboration with Japan counterparts) with ongoing projects or with concurrent submissions to other EPSRC-UKRI/ NICT funding opportunities, including any international joint programmes.
If your application does not have significant overlap with an ongoing project or application, you will be able to indicate this in the UKRI funding service.
If otherwise, then for each overlapping funding source provide details of:
- the project title and description
- the funding scheme
- the total budget and funding period
- your role in the project and your level of effort
- how the project relates to the present application
- the status of those applications or awards (under application, awarded, or ongoing)
In your response we also expect you to:
- confirm that you would be willing to withdraw or not proceed with projects/applications listed above.
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
- if 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.
