Mathematical Sciences Small Grants
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) · United Kingdom
Funding to support original research projects in the mathematical sciences that do not require funding at the level of standard research grants. Projects may explore new research areas, generate proof-of-principle results, support follow-on research, build collaborations, or support career development for researchers.
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding to support original research projects in the mathematical sciences that do not require funding at the level of standard research grants. Projects may explore new research areas, generate proof-of-principle results, support follow-on research, build collaborations, or support career development for researchers.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Mathematical sciences and related interdisciplinary research areas within EPSRC remit.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
Applicants must meet EPSRC standard eligibility rules and be based at an eligible UK research organisation. The lead organisation must be an eligible UK research organisation. Projects focused on original research, including exploratory work in new areas, proof-of-principle research, short follow-on projects from previous work, collaboration development, user impact activities, and career devel...
Eligible applicants
Applicants must meet EPSRC standard eligibility rules and be based at an eligible UK research organisation.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£10,000 - £80,000
Total fund available
£2,000,000
Funding intensity
EPSRC funds 80% of FEC.
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Projects focused on original research, including exploratory work in new areas, proof-of-principle research, short follow-on projects from previous work, collaboration development, user impact activities, and career development for postdoctoral researchers.
Eligible expenses
- Research staff, travel for fieldwork or collaboration, consumables, and other justified research costs. Equipment over £25,000 is not eligible.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under EPSRC mathematical sciences funding and UKRI FEC terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Open (Rolling assessment)
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Applications are submitted as full proposals and assessed on a rolling basis by a panel from the mathematical sciences community.
Application sections
- Summary, vision and approach document, applicant and team capability, references, project partners, facilities, resources and cost justification, and ethics and responsible research considerations.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they do not follow submission guidance or fall outside the EPSRC mathematical sciences remit.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
2 Jan 2024
Project duration
Up to 12 months.
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Applications may involve single or multiple applicants. Interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary collaborations are permitted if the majority of the research is within the EPSRC mathematical sciences remit.
- International collaborators may participate. A project co-lead (international) may be based at a Norwegian institution under the UKRI–Research Council of Norway Money Follows Cooperation agreement.
Consortium requirements
- Not specified
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"Mathematical sciences research."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"The majority of the research must fall within the EPSRC mathematical sciences theme and demonstrate high-quality research vision, approach, capability, and appropriate use of resources."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Applicants can only hold one small grant at any one time and uninvited resubmissions of previously submitted projects are not accepted."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and assessed in batches by expert panels."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- £10,000 - £80,000
- Funding band
- Small (£50k-£500k)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Mathematical sciences and related interdisciplinary research areas within EPSRC remit.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 22 Nov 2023