Grant opportunity

UKRI Translation: EPSRC ACT Proof of Concept

Follow-on proof-of-concept funding for early to mid-stage commercialisation of Advanced Connectivity Technologies research outputs.

GrantSTEMInnovation & EntrepreneurshipInstitutional Funding
Funder
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Deadline
May 27, 2026
Award
GBP 100,000 to GBP 500,000; EPSRC funds 80% FEC
Applicant
Researcher
Discipline
STEM, Engineering & Technology
Region
United Kingdom
Posted
May 16, 2026

Call summary

Overview

EPSRC ACT Proof of Concept supports follow-on funding for early to mid-stage commercialisation of Advanced Connectivity Technologies research.

Who can apply

  • Project leads must be based at UK research organisations eligible for EPSRC funding.
  • Projects must build on existing engineering and physical sciences research outputs and align with DSIT connectivity challenge themes.

What it supports

  • Commercialisation activities that can deliver economic, societal, policy, or environmental benefits for a more sustainable and resilient UK.
  • Projects should relate to Sustainable Networks and Secure and Resilient Networks connectivity challenge themes.

Funding and duration

Projects can request GBP 100,000 to GBP 500,000 full economic cost. EPSRC funds 80% FEC. Projects may last up to two years.

Application deadline

May 27, 2026

How to apply

Use the official UKRI Funding Finder page and submit through the UKRI Funding Service by 27 May 2026 at 4:00 pm UK time.

Call details

About the opportunity

EPSRC ACT Proof of Concept supports follow-on funding for early to mid-stage commercialisation of Advanced Connectivity Technologies research.

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) lists this opportunity for Researcher, STEM, Engineering & Technology, United Kingdom.

This listing is written for researchers, students, universities, NGOs, research teams, policy professionals and academic institutions searching for STEM, Engineering & Technology grants, fellowships, scholarships, conferences, workshops and funding opportunities in United Kingdom contexts.

Eligibility

Project leads must be based at UK research organisations eligible for EPSRC funding.

Projects must build on existing engineering and physical sciences research outputs and align with DSIT connectivity challenge themes.

Funding and benefits

Projects can request GBP 100,000 to GBP 500,000 full economic cost. EPSRC funds 80% FEC. Projects may last up to two years.

Themes and supported activities

Commercialisation activities that can deliver economic, societal, policy, or environmental benefits for a more sustainable and resilient UK.

Projects should relate to Sustainable Networks and Secure and Resilient Networks connectivity challenge themes.

Deadline and timeline

Application deadline: May 27, 2026.

Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.

How to apply

Use the official UKRI Funding Finder page and submit through the UKRI Funding Service by 27 May 2026 at 4:00 pm UK time.

Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.