Enter a distinct name for your application.

Application name

In plain English, provide a summary that can be sent to potential reviewers to determine if your proposal is within their field of expertise.
This summary may be made publicly available on external facing websites, so ensure it can be understood by a variety of readers, for example:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>opinion formers</li>
<li>policymakers</li>
<li>the general public</li>
<li>the wider research community</li>
</ul>
Guidance for writing a summary
Succinctly describe your proposed work in terms of:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>its context</li>
<li>the challenge the project addresses and how it will be applied to this</li>
<li>its aims and objectives</li>
<li>its potential applications and benefits</li>
</ul>

This will be used to help select the most appropriate assessors for your application.

Summary

In the text box, copy the letter corresponding to your selected theme:
A. artificial intelligence (AI)
B. digital security and resilience
C. energy and decarbonisation
D. engineering
E. healthcare technologies
F. information and communication technologies (ICT)
G. manufacturing
H. mathematical sciences
I. physical sciences and advanced materials
J. quantum technologies
Additional guidance:
This is for administrative purposes to help the initial application processing. We will check your choice and make a final decision on which theme will lead the peer review of your application.

Select the primary EPSRC thematic area your application most closely aligns to. 

EPSRC theme area alignment

You should upload the Vision and Approach document as a six page PDF, plus an additional page for a diagrammatic workplan. The document must have single line spacing, margins of at least 2cm and be typed using Arial 11pt, or another &lsquo;sans serif&rsquo; font with an equivalent size to Arial 11pt. Enter the words &lsquo;attachment supplied&rsquo; in the text box.
For the Vision, explain how your proposed work:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>is of excellent quality and importance within or beyond the field(s) or area(s)&nbsp;</li>
<li>has the potential to advance current understanding, generates new knowledge, thinking or discovery within or beyond the field or area &nbsp;</li>
<li>is timely given current trends, context and needs &nbsp;</li>
<li>impacts world-leading research, society, the economy or the environment&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Within the Vision section we also expect you to:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>identify the potential direct or indirect benefits and who the beneficiaries might be</li>
</ul>
For the Approach, explain how you have designed your work so that it:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>is effective and appropriate to achieve your objectives&nbsp;</li>
<li>is feasible, and comprehensively identifies any risks to delivery and how they will be managed &nbsp;</li>
<li>if applicable, uses a clear and transparent methodology&nbsp;</li>
<li>if applicable, summarises the previous work and describes how this will be built upon and progressed &nbsp;</li>
<li>will maximise translation of outputs into outcomes and impacts&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>describes how your, and if applicable your team&rsquo;s, research environment (in terms of the place, its location, and relevance to the project) will contribute to the success of the work</li>
</ul>
Within the Approach section we also expect you to:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>demonstrate access to the appropriate services, facilities, infrastructure, or equipment to deliver the proposal</li>
<li>provide a project plan including milestones and timelines</li>
</ul>

What are you hoping to achieve with and how will you deliver your proposed work? 

Vision and Approach

Evidence of how you, and if relevant your team, have:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>the relevant experience (appropriate to career stage) to deliver the proposed work&nbsp;</li>
<li>the right balance of skills and expertise to cover the proposed work&nbsp;</li>
<li>the appropriate leadership and management skills to deliver the work and your approach to develop others&nbsp;</li>
<li>contributed to developing a positive research environment and wider community</li>
</ul>
The word count for this section is 1,500 words &ndash; 1,000 words to be used for R4RI modules and, if necessary, a further 500 words for Additions.
Use the R&eacute;sum&eacute; for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format to showcase the range of relevant skills you, and if relevant your team (project lead and project co-leads, researchers, other (technical) staff for example research software engineers, data scientists and so on, and partners), have and how this will help to deliver the proposed work. You can include individuals&rsquo; specific achievements but only choose past contributions that best evidence their ability to deliver this work.
Complete this section using the R4RI module headings listed. You should use each heading once and include a response for the whole team, see the <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/apply-for-funding/before-you-apply/resume-for-research-and-innovation-r4ri-guidance/#:~:text=UKRI%20committed%20to%20adopting%20a,UKRI%20throughout%202022%20and%202023.">UKRI guidance on R4RI</a>. You should consider how to balance your answer, and emphasise where appropriate the key skills each team member brings:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies, or knowledge &nbsp;</li>
<li>the development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships &nbsp;</li>
<li>contributions to the wider research and innovation community &nbsp;</li>
<li>contributions to broader research or innovation users and audiences and towards wider societal benefit &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Additions: Provide any further details relevant to your application. This section is optional and can be up to 500 words. You should not use it to describe additional skills, experiences or outputs, but any factors that provide context for the rest of your R4RI (for example, details of career breaks if you wish to disclose them).
You should complete this as a narrative and you should avoid CV type format.

Why are you the right individual or team to successfully deliver the proposed work?

Applicant and team capability to deliver

You should include all references in this section of the application and not in the rest of the application questions.
You should not include any other information in this section.
We advise you not to include hyperlinks as assessors are not obliged to access the information they lead to or consider it in their assessment of your application. If linking to web resources, to ensure the information&rsquo;s integrity is maintained include, where possible, persistent identifiers such as digital object identifiers.
You must not include links to web resources in order to extend your application.

List the references you have used to support your application. 

References

Considering your career trajectory and how the support offered forms a cohesive career development package for you, use the text box to explain who you have engaged with in your research organisation (name and role) and what they have said your research organisation will provide, covering:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>how your expertise fits within the wider interest and strategies of the university and department</li>
<li>what development and training opportunities will be provided and how they form a cohesive career development package tailored to your aims and aspirations</li>
<li>what mentoring and support arrangements are proposed and how they are appropriate to you</li>
<li>what practical or financial support is being provided and how this improves the application</li>
</ul>

What support is being provided from the research organisation in underpinning your new investigator award?

Research organisation support 

Confirmation that you meet the scheme criteria for career stage and that you do not currently hold, or have previously held:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>any project which included more than six months PDRA time</li>
<li>a single research grant over &pound;100,000 (FEC)</li>
<li>capital equipment more than &pound;20,000</li>
<li>a position where you directed the vision of a research group</li>
</ul>
Find out more about <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/epsrc/guidance-for-applicants/types-of-funding-we-offer/new-investigator-award/eligibility/#contents-list">new investigator award eligibility</a>

Provide confirmation that you meet the eligibility requirements for the new investigator scheme

Applicant fit to the opportunity

If you do not have any project partners, simply add &lsquo;N/A&rsquo; into the text box, mark this section as complete and move to the next section.
If you do have project partners, <a class="govuk-link" href="https://ukri-tfs-prod-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/Project-partner-contributions-template.docx">download and complete the project partner contributions template (DOCX, 52KB)</a> then copy and paste the table within it into the text box. Paste only the table into the text box and do not insert any further columns into the template.
Ensure you have obtained prior agreement from project partners that, should you be offered funding, they will support your project as indicated in the template.
A project partner is a collaborating organisation that is contributing to the application and will have an integral role in the proposed research. Project partners cannot normally receive funding directly from the grant. Two exceptions to this are:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>where a project partner is providing services or equipment that will go through a formal procurement process audited by the host research organisation</li>
<li>the project partner can receive small amounts of funding from the grant, such as for travel and subsistence to attend project meetings. These will need to be requested and fully justified in the application</li>
</ul>

Provide details about any project partners’ contributions using the template provided.

Project partners: contributions

If you do not have any project partners, simply add &lsquo;N/A&rsquo; into the text box, mark this section as complete and move to the next section.
If you have named project partners in the previous &lsquo;contributions&rsquo; section, enter the words &lsquo;attachment supplied&rsquo; in the text box.
Each letter or email you provide should:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>confirm the partner&rsquo;s commitment to the project</li>
<li>clearly explain the value, relevance and possible benefits of the work to them</li>
<li>describe any additional value that they bring to the project</li>
</ul>
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>refer to the EPSRC&rsquo;s guidance on project partners letters of support for further information <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/epsrc/guidance-for-applicants/what-to-include-in-your-proposal/project-partners-letter-of-support/">Project partners letter of support &ndash; UKRI</a></li>
</ul>
Unless specifically requested, do not include any personal data within the attachment. Upload details are provided within the service on the actual application.
For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made.
Do not provide letters of support from host and co-project lead research organisations.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Upload a single PDF containing the letters or emails of support from each partner you named in the table in the previous ‘contributions’ section.

Project partners: letters (or emails) of support 

If not, enter N/A into the text box, mark this section as complete and move on to the next section.
If you will need to use a facility, you should follow your proposed facility&rsquo;s normal access request procedures. Where prior agreement is required, ensure you obtain their agreement that, should you be offered funding, they will support the use of their facility on your project.
In the text box, for each requested facility you should provide under the following headings:
facility name: the name of facility, copied and pasted from <a class="govuk-link" href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fukri-tfs-prod-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com%2FFacility%2BInformation%2Bfor%2BTFS.docx&amp;data=05%7C01%7CJoanne.Holbourn%40epsrc.ukri.org%7C00ffd8e98d6244b7bc5008db36892e9e%7C8bb7e08edaa44a8e927efca38db04b7e%7C0%7C0%7C638163735035145899%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ztimZ%2FA17jcYqLf4m45YcuqN3H8bD58M7ppXZxg6iVw%3D&amp;reserved=0">this list</a>
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>usage: the proposed usage time or costs, or costs per unit where indicated on that list&nbsp;</li>
<li>confirmation you have their agreement where required - copy the following text: &lsquo;I confirm that I have contacted the facility and their agreement that, should you be offered funding, they will support the use of their facility on my project for the usage specified.&rsquo;</li>
</ul>
Do not put the facility contact details in your response.

Does your proposed research require the support and use of a facility?   

Facilities

If you do not have anything to share, enter &lsquo;N/A&rsquo; into the text box, mark this section as complete and move on to the next section.
If you, or a key team member, need to tell us something you wish to remain confidential, enter the words &lsquo;email sent&rsquo; in the text box.
Then email the Funding Service helpdesk on support@funding-service.ukri.org. You must include in the subject line: &lt;EPSRC responsive mode, sensitive info, Funding Service application number&gt;.
Typical examples of confidential information include:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>applicant is unavailable until a certain date (for example due to parental leave)</li>
<li>declaration of interest</li>
<li>additional information about eligibility to apply that would not be appropriately shared in the &lsquo;applicant and team capability&rsquo; section</li>
<li>conflict of interest for UKRI to consider in reviewer or panel participant selection</li>
<li>the application is an invited resubmission</li>
</ul>
For information about how UKRI handles personal data, see&nbsp;<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.ukri.org/about-us/privacy-notice/">UKRI&rsquo;s privacy notice</a>.

Is there sensitive information you need to share with UKRI that you do not want shared with assessors?

Sensitive information

Using the text box, demonstrate that you have identified and evaluated the relevant ethical or responsible research and innovation considerations, and how you will manage them.

What are the ethical or RRI implications and issues relating to the proposed work?  If you do not think that the proposed work raises any ethical or RRI issues, explain why.

Ethics and responsible research and innovation (RRI)

If not, enter &lsquo;N/A&rsquo; into the text box, mark this section as complete and move on to the next section.
In respect of animals, plants or microbes, are you proposing to:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>use genetic modification as an experimental tool, like studying gene function in a genetically modified organism</li>
<li>release genetically modified organisms</li>
<li>ultimately develop commercial and industrial genetically modified outcomes</li>
</ul>
If yes, provide the name of any required approving body and state if approval is already in place. If it is not, provide an indicative timeframe for obtaining the required approval.
Identify the organism or organisms as a plant, animal or microbe and specify the species and which of the three categories the research relates to.
Identify the genetic and biological risks resulting from the proposed research, their implications and any mitigation you plan on taking. Assessors will want to know you have considered the risks and their implications to justify that any identified risks do not outweigh any benefits of the proposed research.

Does your proposed research involve any genetic or biological risk?

Genetic and biological risk

If not, enter &lsquo;N/A&rsquo; into the text box, mark this section as complete and do the same for the next question.
If you are proposing research that requires using animals, write &lsquo;Yes&rsquo; in the text box. Then, <a class="govuk-link" href="https://ukri-tfs-prod-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/AnimalResearchQuestionTemplate-BBSRC.docx">download and complete this document</a> (DOCX, 74KB), which contains all the questions relating to research using vertebrate animals or other Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 regulated organisms. Then, save it as a PDF.

Does your proposed research involve the use of vertebrate animals or other organisms covered by the Animals Scientific Procedures Act?

Research involving the use of animals

If not, enter &lsquo;N/A&rsquo; in the text box, mark as complete and move to the next question.
If you are proposing to conduct overseas research, it must be conducted in accordance with welfare standards consistent with those in the UK, as per <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/3rs-resources/responsibility-use-animals-bioscience-research">Responsibility in the Use of Animals in Bioscience Research</a>, on page 14.
You should also ensure all named applicants in the UK and overseas are aware of this requirement and provide a statement to confirm that:
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li>all named applicants are aware of the requirements and have agreed to abide by them</li>
<li>this overseas research will be conducted in accordance with welfare standards consistent with the principles of UK legislation</li>
<li>the expectation set out in &lsquo;<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/responsibility-use-animals-bioscience-research">Responsibility in the Use of Animals in Bioscience Research&rsquo;</a> will be applied and maintained</li>
<li>appropriate national and institutional approvals are in place</li>
</ul>
Overseas studies proposing to use non-human primates, cats, dogs, equines or pigs will be assessed during&nbsp;<a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/who-we-are-and-what-we-do#services">NC3Rs review</a>&nbsp;of research proposals. The required information should be provided by completing the template from the question &lsquo;Research involving the use of animals&rsquo;.
For studies involving other species listed, you should select the relevant checklist or checklists from the list, complete it and save it as a PDF and use the file upload feature to attach. If you need to complete more than one checklist, you should merge them into a single document and then save it as a PDF before uploading it.
<ul class="govuk-list govuk-list--bullet">
<li><a class="govuk-link" href="https://nc3rs.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Additional%20questions%20on%20the%20use%20of%20rodents%20overseas%20%286%29_0.docx">Additional questions on the use of rodents overseas.</a></li>
<li><a class="govuk-link" href="https://nc3rs.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Additional%20questions%20on%20the%20use%20of%20rabbits%20overseas.docx">Additional questions on the use of rabbits overseas.</a></li>
<li><a class="govuk-link" href="https://nc3rs.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Additional%20questions%20on%20the%20use%20of%20sheep%20overseas.docx">Additional questions on the use of sheep overseas.</a></li>
<li><a class="govuk-link" href="https://nc3rs.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Additional%20questions%20on%20the%20use%20of%20goats%20overseas.docx">Additional questions on the use of goats overseas.</a></li>
<li><a class="govuk-link" href="https://nc3rs.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Additional%20questions%20on%20the%20use%20of%20pigs%20overseas.docx">Additional questions on the use of pigs overseas.</a></li>
<li><a class="govuk-link" href="https://nc3rs.org.uk/sites/default/files/Additional%20questions%20on%20the%20use%20of%20cattle%20overseas.docx">Additional questions on the use of cattle overseas.</a></li>
<li><a class="govuk-link" href="https://nc3rs.org.uk/sites/default/files/Additional%20questions%20on%20the%20use%20of%20Xenopus%20laevis%20%26%20%20Xenopus%20tropicalis%20overseas.docx">Additional questions on the use of&nbsp;Xenopus laevis&nbsp;and&nbsp;Xenopus tropicalis&nbsp;overseas.</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Will any of the proposed animal research be conducted overseas?

Conducting research with animals overseas

If not, enter &lsquo;N/A&rsquo; into the text box, mark this section as complete and move on to the next section.
If you are proposing research that requires the involvement of human subjects, provide the name of any required approving body and whether approval is already in place.
Then, justify the number and the diversity of the participants involved, as well as any procedures.
Provide details of any areas of substantial or moderate severity of impact.

Will the project involve the use of human subjects or their personal information?

Research involving human participation 

If not, enter &lsquo;N/A&rsquo; into the text box, mark this section as complete and move on to the next section.
If you&rsquo;re answering &lsquo;yes&rsquo;, provide the name of any required approving body and whether approval is already in place.
You should justify the use of human tissue or biological samples specifying the nature and quantity of the material to be used and its source.

Confirm you'll be leading this project if your application is successful

Confirmation

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Confirm you'll be leading this project if your application is successful

Confirmation

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