We aim to develop new interdisciplinary research communities and topics by supporting interaction between researchers and relevant science, technology and industrial groups.
We aim to:
- transfer experimental techniques, models and scientific insights
- promote mobility between academe, universities and industry.
We expect networks to lead to new collaborative multidisciplinary research proposals in areas we support. Some may develop into virtual centres of excellence.
They should:
- be a new collaboration
- aim to form a new interdisciplinary research community and identify new interdisciplinary research topics
- involve a group with a range of expertise and experience
- be based in the UK but may include collaboration with overseas partners
- demonstrate the added value EPSRC funding would bring.
We will prioritise interdisciplinary proposals and those that involve industrial or other users in any field of research relevant to our remit. We particularly encourage involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises.
We support excellent research in:
- digital economy
- energy
- engineering
- global uncertainties
- healthcare technologies
- information and communication technologies
- living with environmental change
- manufacturing the future
- mathematical sciences
- physical sciences
- quantum technologies
- research infrastructure.
Find out more about our research areas and themes.
We will fund any size of project lasting up to three years. Network grants do not fund research. Activities supported include:
- salaries of an investigator and one co-investigator for time spent on setting up and managing the network
- travel and subsistence, including for members to meet to exchange ideas and expertise and to visit each other’s laboratories. Industrial collaborators should meet their own costs where possible
- workshops
- administrative support to help coordinate the network
- communication costs and for additional equipment such as personal computers and web servers.
We will fund 80% of the full economic costs of your project. We encourage contributions from industrial members, which should be included in your proposal.
Find out more in our guide on network management.