EPSRC: COMING SOON: EPSRC circular economy critical mass programmes

17/11/2022

01/02/2023

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council invites applications for its circular economy critical mass programmes call. This supports engineering and physical sciences research which directly contributes to a circular economy. The programmes should directly contributing to the realisation of a UK circular economy and the environmental, economic and social benefits this will bring. The total budget is £12 million. Projects can be up to £6 million at 80% full economic cost. Project duration can be up to 60 months. This EPSRC investment aims to support up to 2 critical mass circular economy programmes. (Forecasted date for next year's call).

The proposed research’s core focus must be on engineering and physical sciences research. Proposals need to be at least 50% within EPSRC’s remit. However, involvement of researchers from other disciplines is welcome and encouraged. Circular economy research is often interdisciplinary by necessity, so applicants are expected to co-create solutions between different disciplines, within and beyond EPSRC’s remit, as appropriate.

Standard EPSRC eligibility rules apply. Research grants are open to: UK higher education institutions; research council institutes; UK Research and Innovation-approved independent research organisations; eligible public sector research establishments; eligible research and technology organisations; NHS bodies with research capacity. Researchers can apply if they are a resident in the UK and meet at least 1 of the conditions below: are employed at the submitting research organisation at a level equivalent to lecturer or above; hold a fixed-term contract that extends beyond the duration of the proposed project, and the host research organisation is prepared to give them all the support normal for a permanent employee; hold an EPSRC, Royal Society or Royal Academy of Engineering fellowship aimed at later career stages; hold fellowships under other schemes. Holders of postdoctoral level fellowships are not eligible to apply for an EPSRC grant.