EPSRC-Defra Reimagining Circularity: full stage
Funding
Up to £5,410,000
Deadline
3 November 2026
Location
England
Applications
By invitation
Overview
This grant funds a NetworkPlus on the circular economy. A NetworkPlus builds new capacity, strengthens community and helps research move towards real-world innovation. EPSRC delivers it and Defra provides the money. Two networks will be funded, one on data and metrics and one on textiles. Each network must run a flexible fund with three streams: seed-corn funding, demonstrators or feasibility studies, and research to innovation work. The focus is on circular solutions that keep products and materials in use for longer, such as repair, reuse, refurbishment and retrofit. Teams must work across disciplines, include industrial partners, and bring in policy and community voices. You are also expected to support early and mid-career researchers. The full economic cost of a project can be up to £5.41 million. EPSRC will fund 80% of that cost for up to 36 months. The total pot is £8,656,000 across the two networks. This is the full stage, so you can only apply if you have been invited after a successful outline application. Your full application should closely match your outline in activities and partnerships. The closing time is 4:00pm UK time on 3 November 2026. One practical caveat: projects must sit mainly within EPSRC remit, meaning over 50%. Applications that do not will be rejected without going to assessment. Official source: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/epsrc-defra-reimagining-circularity-full-stage/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 15 October 2026.
Requirements to check
Who can apply:
Key requirements:
- Invitation only, following a successful outline application
- EPSRC funds 80% of full economic cost for up to 36 months
- Industrial partners are mandatory and must be listed as project partners
- Projects must be mainly within EPSRC remit (over 50%)
- Each person can be project lead on only one application and appear on only two projects in total
- Uninvited resubmissions are not accepted
You can only apply if you have been invited following a successful outline application. Applicants must be at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding, such as a UK higher education institution, research council institute, approved independent research organisation, eligible public sector research establishment or NHS body with research capacity. Businesses cannot apply, but should be listed as project partners. Holders of postdoctoral level fellowships cannot apply. Uninvited resubmissions are not accepted.
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
UK research organisations that have been invited to submit a full application for a circular economy NetworkPlus in data and metrics, or textiles.
Regions
No published award history for Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Some funders do not publish their grants data.
Full details from Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Apply for three years of NetworkPlus funding to build new capacity, strengthen community and enhance research to innovation capabilities focused on the circular economy in data and metrics, or textiles. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding.
Apply through the UKRI Funding Service, using the Start application link on the funder's page. Only applicants invited after a successful outline stage can submit. Your full application should closely match your outline application. State which challenge area you are applying for, either data and metrics or textiles.
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Create free accountLast updated: 15 October 2026