Explore UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding opportunities for researchers, universities, businesses, and innovators. Learn about UKRI research grants, fellowships, and innovation funding programmes.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the United Kingdom’s largest public funder of research and innovation, investing more than £9 billion annually to advance knowledge, improve lives, and drive economic growth.
Through its research councils, innovation programmes, and strategic investments, UKRI supports groundbreaking research across science, engineering, technology, health, social sciences, arts, humanities, and environmental disciplines.
Researchers, universities, businesses, charities, and innovators can access a wide range of competitive funding opportunities throughout the year.
About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
UK Research and Innovation brings together the UK’s major public research funding organisations under one umbrella to strengthen collaboration and maximise research impact.
Its mission is to:
- Advance knowledge
- Improve lives
- Drive economic growth
- Support world-leading research
- Foster innovation
- Build international partnerships
- Strengthen the UK’s research ecosystem
UKRI supports projects from early-stage discovery research through to commercial innovation and real-world implementation.
UKRI Research Councils
UKRI consists of nine organisations:
- Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
- Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
- Innovate UK
- Medical Research Council (MRC)
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
- Research England
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Each council funds research and innovation within specific disciplines while collaborating on interdisciplinary initiatives.
Funding Opportunities
UKRI regularly offers funding across multiple categories, including:
- Research grants
- Fellowships
- Innovation funding
- Collaborative research projects
- Doctoral training programmes
- Postdoctoral fellowships
- Business innovation competitions
- International research partnerships
- Strategic research programmes
- Infrastructure funding
Funding calls are published throughout the year across various research themes and sectors.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility varies depending on the funding opportunity, but UKRI programmes commonly support:
- Universities
- Research organisations
- Academic researchers
- Early-career researchers
- Established investigators
- Businesses and SMEs
- Innovation-led companies
- Public sector organisations
- Non-profit organisations
- Industry-academic partnerships
Applicants should review the eligibility requirements for each individual funding opportunity before submitting an application.
Areas of Research Supported
UKRI invests in research covering a wide range of disciplines, including:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Climate change
- Clean energy
- Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Medicine and healthcare
- Public health
- Agriculture
- Environmental sustainability
- Space science
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Social sciences
- Economics
- Arts and humanities
- Digital technologies
- Advanced manufacturing
Many funding opportunities also encourage interdisciplinary collaboration across multiple research fields.
Why Apply for UKRI Funding?
Successful applicants can benefit from:
- Competitive research funding
- International collaboration opportunities
- Access to world-class research infrastructure
- Innovation support
- Knowledge exchange programmes
- Career development opportunities
- Long-term research partnerships
- Opportunities to translate research into real-world impact
UKRI funding is internationally recognised and supports research that addresses major societal, scientific, environmental, and economic challenges.
UKRI Strategy
UKRI continues to invest strategically in research that contributes to:
- Economic growth
- Scientific excellence
- Health innovation
- Environmental sustainability
- Advanced technologies
- Skills development
- National resilience
- International competitiveness
Its long-term strategy aims to strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in research and innovation while delivering benefits for society and industry.
Final Thoughts
UK Research and Innovation remains one of the world’s leading public research funders, providing substantial support for researchers, institutions, innovators, and businesses across numerous disciplines.
Whether you are an academic researcher seeking grant funding, an early-career scientist looking for fellowship opportunities, or an innovative business developing new technologies, UKRI offers a diverse portfolio of funding programmes designed to support impactful research and innovation.
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