Restricted call: EPSRC Strategic Infrastructure (internal deadline: 30 September 2026)

EPSRC’s Strategic Infrastructure scheme offers funding to purchase strategic infrastructure, including equipment, resources, or a combination of both.

The funding aims to improve UK scientific capability and enable cutting-edge research of high priority to EPSRC. The minimum funding threshold is £400,000 at full economic cost (FEC).  More information on EPSRC’s definition of strategic infrastructure can be found here.

University Internal selection:

The scheme usually operates as a rolling, open-ended opportunity with no set submission deadlines – however, EPSRC expects no more than six applications from each institution in their annual cycle. Due to increasing interest in this call at Cambridge, it is now being managed according to the University’s restricted calls procedure. Your Department’s Research Grants Team and/or Departmental Administrator (or equivalent) must be made aware of your internal application, and a support letter signed by the Head of Department is required.

This circulation follows on from that sent in March 2026, as not all of the six institutional slots for the 2026-27 annual cycle have yet been filled.  Please note that, while we are running a second round of the internal selection process over the summer, the funding call is currently closed as EPSRC make some updates to their process and assessment practices, and it is expected to re-open in September.

To take part in the second round of internal selection for the 2026-27 cycle, please complete our online form (NB: if asked to log-in, please use your University account details; note that a Form cannot be saved and returned to) by 30 September 2026.

EPSRC Strategic Infrastructure 2026-27 – Fill in form

Applicants who have already received an outcome of the internal selection process from earlier in the year do not need to apply again and should continue to work on their proposal and/or engage in discussions with EPSRC and internally, as required.

You will need the following documents and information to complete the form:

• A summary document (max. 800 words) covering the following:

1. Purpose & vision: Why is this infrastructure needed and what transformative research will it enable that cannot be achieved elsewhere? How will it enhance and complement the existing regional or national research capability and what is the evidence of user demand? (approx. 250 words)

1. Approach, accessibility and sustainability: Summarise what professional/technical support will be in place, and outline the proposed approach to financial, technical and environmental sustainability. How will users be identified, prioritised and supported? (approx. 300 words)

1. Applicant and host institution capability to deliver: What experience does the team have in managing strategic infrastructure and why is the University of Cambridge the best place to host the proposed infrastructure? (approx. 250 words)

• Letter of Support from the Head of Department, indicating that the department is aware of and supportive of the application.

• Provide an indication of institutional support agreed or in discussion and how the department will use its existing capacity to best complement the proposed infrastructure. Contributions can come in many forms e.g. direct contribution towards the infrastructure; in-kind investigator time; funding a research technical professional; contributing refurbishment costs.

• Approximate value of the infrastructure required (quotes not required for this internal EoI).
• Target submission date for the application to EPSRC.

We encourage applicants to speak to relevant teams in advance of their EoI, for help with initial planning. These include the West Cambridge equipment sharing team (wcsp@admin.cam.ac.uk), the Research Relations team (cdb29@cam.ac.uk), and for applicants from the School of the Biological Sciences the Scientific Research Facilities Strategic Lead (stc46@cam.ac.uk), as well as any local research facility leads in their department.

Internal Assessment Criteria:

Please note that the assessment of internal applications will focus on the following core funder criteria:

• Purpose and vision

• Approach, accessibility and sustainability
• Applicant and host institution capability to deliver

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact researchstrategy@admin.cam.ac.uk

Posted on 23/07/2026