Remits
Your application must be in one or more of the astronomy observation, astronomy theory, solar system and planetary studies remits which includes:
- stellar physics, including star formation and extra-solar planetary systems (studies of the Sun as part of a programme of stellar physics may fit here)
- studies of transient phenomena
- the interstellar medium and galactic astronomy
- extra-galactic astronomy and cosmology
- the astrophysical aspects of particle astrophysics, where particle astrophysics includes dark matter, the origin of cosmic rays and gravity
- laboratory astrophysics, including software development, relevant to the above programmes
- solar physics and heliospheric physics
- space-based terrestrial magnetospheric science and fundamental space plasma physics (excluding the impact on the Earth’s neutral atmosphere)
- planetary science, including the surfaces and interiors, atmospheres, ionospheres, and magnetospheres of the solar system bodies other than the Earth
- laboratory studies of solar system material such as meteorites, returned samples, solar system analogues, other laboratory physics relevant to the area of the funding opportunity and related software development
- blue skies technology or instrumentation development applicable to the above areas (technology readiness levels (TRL) one to four)
If your application is in one of the following research areas we strongly advise you contact the STFC astronomy team to check the remit ahead of submitting:
Technology development
The Astronomy Grants Panel (AGP) will consider funding astronomy and space science applications at TRL one to four or their equivalent (eligibility of TRL). Modest upgrades to existing equipment, related to the delivery of science within the course of the project requested, may be considered. The UK Space Agency (UKSA) will consider space mission-related applications at TRL five and above.
Gravitational wave research
The AGP will consider funding support for some aspects of gravitational wave research: clarification of STFC support for gravitational waves research. STFC is considering the peer review route for gravitational wave exploitation science and will provide specific guidance with respect to this in the near future. You should contact the STFC astronomy awards team for urgent advice as required.
Space weather and the impact of the Sun on terrestrial systems
STFC will support non-Earth-orientated solar-terrestrial physics research, for example, fundamental space plasma physics not related to the Earth. STFC will also fund space-based facilities (spacecraft, instruments and operations) for solar terrestrial physics and their associated primary exploitation.
NERC is responsible for funding solar terrestrial physics where the primary goal is to understand the Earth’s environment from the deep interior to the upper atmosphere (meaning, mesosphere, thermosphere and ionosphere).
Mars exploration and sample return
Studies related to the UKSA’s programme of Aurora science (Mars exploration and sample return) should be addressed to the UKSA (spaceexploration@ukspaceagency.gov.uk) in the first instance, as separate funding may be available.
Scope
Large awards will cover funding for a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years of research activity starting 1 April 2025.
Large awards support themed programmatic large projects tackling big research questions or technology development. Our expectation is that large awards will have the potential to produce world-leading research. To achieve this, they will involve several different interdependent components coherently interacting in a single overall structure that is more than the sum of its parts. Proposals that appear as a collection of small individual projects are likely to be unsuccessful.
Under no circumstances should applicants receive duplicate funding for the same or similar proposal from more than one funding agency. We cannot prohibit the submission of the same or similar proposals to other funding agencies (outside of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)), but you must include details of similar proposals that have been submitted to other funding.
Large awards must follow the guidance below:
- between nine and 25 years of research and innovation associate (previously referred to as postdoctoral research assistant (PDRA)) effort in total. The panel recognises that technical or lab-based projects may require fractions of the time of specialist research and innovation associates, but this should not exceed the overall full time equivalent (FTE) limits
- applicant FTE (the below are suggested for guidance, you are permitted to request the FTE you require to carry out the proposed research and should ensure it is explicitly justified):
- five to 10% where you have a clear and significant, but not major, personal role in the research
- 10 to 20% where you are leading a work package (or equivalent) or are heavily involved in the research at a personal level
- applicants managing a PDRA are expected to request a minimum of 10%. Please ensure such management roles are clearly identified
- technician time
UKRI is signatory to the Concordat for Researchers.
Supporting skills and talent.
You are free to make best use of the resources available for the application, but should bear in mind the principles of the concordat regarding employment and career development when planning research and innovation associate roles.
It is your responsibility to demonstrate that the programme to be carried out in the large award is clearly distinct from existing support.
Duration
Large awards must be minimum of three and a maximum of five years in duration, all awards must start on 1 April 2025.
What we will fund
Applicants who are not requesting a salary contribution may request support costs such as travel and subsistence or other directly incurred costs. You must make it clear whether estates and indirect costs will be included in the request.
Requesting un-named research staff and named research staff (PDRA posts), please refer to the grants handbook (staff and investigator costs).
Technical and other staff, please refer to the grants handbook (other staff).
You can also request and make the case for the following project specific costs:
The research organisation is expected to provide standard laptops from indirect costs.
Laptops may only be costed to the application where a higher specification of laptop is required for the completion of specific grant-related activities such as data modelling, enhanced graphics and more.
What we will not fund
Studentship posts are not permitted on large awards.
We encourage you to follow the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and the Technician Commitment.
International collaboration
If your application includes international project partners or collaborators, visit UKRI’s trusted research and innovation for more information on effective international collaboration.
