EPSRC: Sandpit – trustworthiness of autonomous robotic systems for national security and defence

24/03/2022

18/04/2022

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, in collaboration with National Security Technology and Innovation Exchange (NSTIx) and UK government partners, invites applications for the sandpit – trustworthiness of autonomous robotic systems for national security and defence call. This enables researchers to attend a joint sandpit in the area of trustworthiness of autonomous robotic systems for national security and defence, to be held between 23 and 27 May 2022. The total budget is £3 million to fund research projects arising from this sandpit.

The aim of this sandpit is to generate new, innovative and transformative approaches to the creation and operation of trustworthy autonomous robotic systems with specific focus to addressing the needs and challenges within defence and national security.

Researchers who are resident in the UK and meet at least one of the following criteria may apply: are employed at the submitting research organisation at lecturer level or equivalent; 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 scheme. Research grants are open to UK HEIs, research council institutes and UKRI-approved independent research organisations. Holders of postdoctoral level fellowships are not eligible to apply for an EPSRC grant.