UKRI

EPSRC Strategic Infrastructure outlines: September 2026

The questions, word limits and assessment criteria below are the funder’s own, taken from the published competition material. You still submit through their service; this is where the writing happens first.

8 questions, straight from the funder

Their word limits are on every box, counted live as you type, and what the assessor is told to look for sits beside it. All of that is free. The pre-sift check — every mechanical rule that rejects a proposal before anyone reads it, run over what you have written — comes with the pass.

Application questions

Q1 Summary

0 / 550 words

In plain English, provide a summary we can use to identify the most suitable experts to assess your application. We usually make this summary publicly available on external-facing websites, therefore do not include any confidential or sensitive information. Make it suitable for a variety of readers, for example: opinion-formers policymakers the public the wider research community

Q2 Outline theme classification

0 / 30 words

Which EPSRC theme does your application fit into? Please choose the primary EPSRC theme your application fits into by using the following theme categories: physical sciences information and communication technologies (ICT) artificial intelligence and robotics engineering resilience and security future communications mathematical sciences quantum technologies healthcare technologies sustainable manufacturing (manufacturing and the circular economy) clean energy (energy and decarbonisation) digital research infrastructure (central processing units or computing hardware) If applicable, you can ch

Q3 Outline resubmission

0 / 10 words

Is your application an agreed resubmission? In this section, please state one of the following depending on if your application is a resubmission agreed with EPSRC: this is a resubmission agreed with EPSRC. Please include the reference number of the previous application and the year it was assessed. this is a new application

Q4 Outline funding opportunity route

0 / 10 words

Which route of Strategic Infrastructure scheme are you applying to? Please indicate one of the following options, depending on the route relevant to your application: route one: purchase and set-up of strategic infrastructure route two: resources to support existing strategic infrastructure

Q5 Outline Purpose and Vision

0 / 330 words

What is the infrastructure, why is it needed, why should UKRI support it?

What the assessor looks for

  • enable research that is of high priority to EPSRC, including as appropriate meeting EPSRC’s strategic priorities and priorities within UKRI’s Strategy 2026 to 2031
  • enable transformative research that cannot be achieved elsewhere
  • enhance and add value to the existing regional or national research landscape without duplicating existing infrastructure, facilities, capabilities, or investments
  • identify the potential local, regional and or national impacts, both direct and indirect, and who the beneficiaries might be

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

Q6 Outline Approach, Accessibility, and Sustainability

0 / 550 words

What are your plans to manage and sustain the proposed infrastructure during and beyond the end of this funding?

What the assessor looks for

  • effectively manage the infrastructure
  • identify, prioritise, support and maximise users across the landscape
  • ensure arrangements for intellectual property (IP), data and knowledge governance
  • consider and demonstrate your pathway to ensuring and improving accessibility of this infrastructure and its user diversity during and beyond the duration of this grant through an accessibility plan
  • an appropriate cost recovery model
  • training and development of specialist technical staff
  • steps to enhance the environmental and operational sustainability of the proposed infrastructure
  • development or expansion of the user base after the initial period of funding

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

Q7 Outline Applicant and team capability to deliver

0 / 330 words

Why are you and your host institution the right individual, team and place to procure and manage this infrastructure?

What the assessor looks for

  • relevant research experience and skills to develop and deliver the proposed research programme
  • planned to identify and embed additional expertise where gaps in the team exist
  • why it is the most appropriate place for the proposed infrastructure
  • how it will use its existing capacity to best complement the proposed infrastructure

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

Q8 Outline Justification of resources

0 / 250 words

What will you need to deliver your proposed infrastructure and how is the cost justified?

What the assessor looks for

  • make a clear distinction between cost of equipment items and the cost of any associated resources. State the anticipated funds that would be requested from EPSRC. Host institution and project partners including the nature and level of contributions if applicable
  • describe the timescales associated with procurement of the equipment and when you anticipate you will spend any capital provision made
  • ensure the costs are as accurate as possible at this stage. The costs in a full proposal must be within + or -10% of the outline proposal
  • are comprehensive, appropriate, and justified
  • represent the optimal use of resources to achieve the intended outcomes
  • maximise potential outcomes and impacts

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

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