Physical sciences NRF portfolio refresh (invite only)

Open UKRI funding opportunity · Grant. Closes 2026-12-16. Total fund £15 million. Opportunity page: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/physical-sciences-nrf-portfolio-refresh-invite-only/

This is an invite only funding opportunity to support national research facilities (NRFs) for research across EPSRC Physical Sciences within the defined scope of the funding opportunity. Facilities may be based outside the UK for national use. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funding.

Costs should align with the current NRF grant and targeted cost recovery rate. Any significant deviation requires EPSRC approval. EPSRC may provide up to five years of funding, and you must demonstrate long-term financial sustainability.

What we're looking for Scope

EPSRC NRFs are nationally significant​, mid to large-scale infrastructures that provide open access to specialised equipment, facilities and technical expertise essential for advancing research and innovation. These facilities are user focused, adapting their services to reflect evolving user requirements and developments in UK sciences and innovation priorities. They offer cutting-edge capabilities and instrumentation beyond the scope possible for individual institutions.

They support national capability by enabling high-quality, collaborative research and innovation across a range of disciplines, sectors and user communities. They enable access for the wider UK research and innovation (UKRI) community, operating under robust governance, to facilitate user engagement and contribute to long-term scientific, technological, societal and economic impact.

As NRFs, they are expected to demonstrate community leadership and exemplify best practice in areas aligned with key EPSRC ambitions. This includes research data management, responsible innovation, equality diversity and inclusion (EDI), accessibility, trusted research and innovation, and…