---
title: UKRI Funding Opportunity: EPSRC Materials Innovation Partnerships
description: Exploring the UK’s £7.5m programme supporting industry academic collaboration in advanced materials.
---

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# [UKRI Funding Opportunity: EPSRC Materials Innovation Partnerships](https://www.criticalsupply.group/news/funding-opportunity-epsrc-materials-innovation-partnerships)

 Written by [UKRI](https://www.criticalsupply.group/news/author/ukri) | Mar 3, 2026 2:00:00 AM

Apply for funding to support ambitious, collaborative research programmes.

### Aim

This funding forms part of the [National Materials Innovation Programme](https://www.ukri.org/what-we-do/browse-our-areas-of-investment-and-support/national-materials-innovation-programme/), announced, as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.

### Objectives

Through this funding opportunity, EPSRC aims to support a portfolio of at least four ambitious, collaborative, fundamental research programmes, spanning the breadth of the six high-growth opportunity themes identified in the [National Materials Innovation Strategy (NMIS)](https://www.royce.ac.uk/collaborate/innovationstrategy/).

These projects must be:

- co-created and co-delivered by business and academic partners
- add value under at least one of the six high-growth opportunity themes

By co-investing in basic and applied research projects alongside business, we aim to create long-term prosperity for the UK, for example by bringing jobs and revenue growth, or addressing broader societal and sustainability issues.

Projects should aim to:

- accelerate advanced materials research and development, focusing on real-world challenges
- speed up the translation of materials innovation towards industrial application
- develop novel or enhanced materials solutions to meet business needs

Project scope

Your project must focus on one of the six high-growth opportunity themes from the NMIS.

- Materials for energy solutions
- Materials for future healthcare
- Materials for structural innovations
- Materials for advances surface technologies
- Materials for next generation electronic, telecommunications and sensors
- Materials for consumer products, packaging and specialist polymers

### Duration

The duration of this award is up to three and a half years, with a fixed start date of 1 October 2026.

### Funding available

EPSRC have up to £7.5 million to invest in a minimum of four projects. The FEC of your project must be at least £312,500. EPSRC will fund £250,000 (80% of the FEC). We particularly encourage involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in this funding opportunity. Involvement could be as a sole primary business, or as part of a consortium.

### Deadline

EPSRC must receive your application by 14 May 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.

Who is eligible

This funding opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility. [Check if your organisation is eligible](https://www.ukri.org/publications/organisation-eligibility/).

Read the full informational document below for further information or applications.

Source: UKRI : [https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/epsrc-materials-innovation-partnerships/](https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/epsrc-materials-innovation-partnerships/)

<https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-infrastructure-a-10-year-strategy>*The Critical Supply Group consists of companies and professionals committed to secure and resilient critical supply chains. CSG is managed* by [MAP UK & International](https://mapukinternational.com/). For more details, including how to get involved, or to make contact with any of the entities involved, please email [info@mapukinternational.com](mailto:info@mapukinternational.com).

[View full post](https://www.criticalsupply.group/news/funding-opportunity-epsrc-materials-innovation-partnerships)

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