Before you apply, follow these steps to find out if UKRI can fund your project.
Check if your organisation is eligible
To apply for funding, you need to be based at an organisation we have already approved.
Check if your organisation is eligible.
If your organisation is not currently eligible, they can apply to be approved.
Once you have confirmed your organisation is eligible, you can search for funding opportunities. Each opportunity will have details of the eligibility criteria you must meet in order to apply.
Eligibility for businesses
If you are a business, check the specific criteria in the funding opportunity. We run eligibility checks for each application. Most funding opportunities for businesses are offered through Innovate UK.
You must be a UK-registered business to apply for funding as a project lead. Check the funding opportunity for details about who you can collaborate with.
To be eligible as a UK-registered business you must have a Companies House registration number.
You are not eligible to apply as a project lead if your business:
- has an FC or BR prefix on your registration number
- is registered in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man
Check if you can lead a project
In most cases, your application will need a project lead.
A project lead is responsible for managing the project. They are the main contact for UKRI.
To be a project lead, you must:
- have a contract with an eligible organisation
- be able to meet the specific criteria for the funding opportunity you are interested in
Fellowships fund an individual and do not have a project co-lead. The fellow acts as the lead.
If you’re not sure if you can be a project lead, check the details of the funding opportunity you’re interested in.
Project co-leads
A project co-lead can take over the leadership of the project if required. Your team can have multiple project co-leads.
A project co-lead must meet the same criteria as the project lead.
International project co-lead
Each funding opportunity will specify if international project co-leads are allowed. Read more about being an international co-lead.
Make sure your idea is right for UKRI
You can apply for funding if you:
- already have a project idea
- have seen a specific opportunity that you want to shape your idea around
You will need to make sure your idea complies with the trusted research and innovation principles.
Some opportunities specify what ideas we are looking to fund. You will need to build your team and research proposal around the funding criteria.
Other opportunities are applicant-led and have a wider scope. These opportunities will allow you to define your own research, as long as it’s within the council remit.
Check the remit for what we fund
Each council’s remit page has more detail on the topic areas they cover:
- history, archaeology, philosophy and languages are funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council
- plants, animals (including humans) and microbes are funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
- social sciences, for example economics, psychology and education are funded by the Economic and Social Research Council
- chemistry, engineering, mathematical sciences, physics and materials are funded by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services for businesses are funded by Innovate UK
- global health research, infections and immunity, neurosciences and mental health are funded by the Medical Research Council
- atmospheric physics and chemistry, geosciences, ecology, biodiversity and climate are funded by the Natural Environment Research Council
- astronomy, particle and nuclear physics, accelerator science and computational science are funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council
If your proposal is multidisciplinary, contact the council you think is most likely to fund your research. More details are available in the cross-council remit agreement.
Find out what support we offer
If you need help completing your application, contact your organisation first.
We can also offer guidance and support if you need help completing your application.
We can offer flexible working patterns or help with childcare costs if required. Contact the funding opportunity lead to discuss your needs.
We fund diverse and dynamic teams across a range of research projects.
Last updated: 19 November 2024