Grant opportunity
Future Computing Paradigms Network Plus
EPSRC will fund a multidisciplinary Network Plus to map emerging computing paradigms, benchmark UK capability and build a national research community around future computation.
- Funder
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
- Call opens 3 August 2026; expression of interest due 11 September; applications close 13 October 2026 at 4:00pm UK time
- Call opens 3 August 2026; expression of interest due 11 September; applications close 13 October 2026 at 4:00pm UK time: Oct 13, 2026
- Award
- One award of up to GBP 2.8 million full economic cost; EPSRC contribution GBP 2.24 million
- Applicant
- Applicants based at UK research organisations eligible for EPSRC funding. International researchers may participate under the limited UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation route or as project partners.
- Discipline
- Computer Science, Data and Artificial Intelligence
- Region
- United Kingdom / eligible international collaborators
- Posted
- Jul 30, 2026
Call summary
Overview
The five-year network will combine an 18-month evidence-gathering phase with a 42-month community and networking phase.
Who can apply
The lead organisation must satisfy standard UKRI and EPSRC eligibility rules. A completed expression of interest is mandatory before a full application can be submitted.
What it supports
- Novel architectures, hardware, materials, software and programming models.
- Distributed, interoperable, sustainable, secure and resilient computing.
- International benchmarking, horizon scanning, skills and strategic roadmapping.
Funding and duration
- The project may have a full economic cost of up to GBP 2.8 million.
- EPSRC will fund GBP 2.24 million, or 80% of full economic cost.
- The award may include a transparent flexible fund for pilots, feasibility work and emerging themes.
Call opens 3 August 2026; expression of interest due 11 September; applications close 13 October 2026 at 4:00pm UK time
Call opens 3 August 2026; expression of interest due 11 September; applications close 13 October 2026 at 4:00pm UK time: Oct 13, 2026
How to apply
Prepare the required expression of interest by 11 September and submit the full application through the UKRI Funding Service after the call opens.
Call details
Source-based overview
The Future Computing Paradigms Network Plus will help the UK anticipate disruptive approaches to computation over a five-to-20-year horizon. It will map research capability, assess international positioning, recommend strategic priorities and connect researchers across engineering, physical sciences, social sciences, humanities, policy, security and industry.
Eligibility
The lead organisation must satisfy standard UKRI and EPSRC eligibility rules. A completed expression of interest is mandatory before a full application can be submitted.
Funding and benefits
The project may have a full economic cost of up to GBP 2.8 million.
EPSRC will fund GBP 2.24 million, or 80% of full economic cost.
The award may include a transparent flexible fund for pilots, feasibility work and emerging themes.
Themes and supported activities
Novel architectures, hardware, materials, software and programming models.
Distributed, interoperable, sustainable, secure and resilient computing.
International benchmarking, horizon scanning, skills and strategic roadmapping.
Deadline and timeline
Call opens 3 August 2026; expression of interest due 11 September; applications close 13 October 2026 at 4:00pm UK time: Call opens 3 August 2026; expression of interest due 11 September; applications close 13 October 2026 at 4:00pm UK time: Oct 13, 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
Prepare the required expression of interest by 11 September and submit the full application through the UKRI Funding Service after the call opens.
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.