Focal award: EPSRC and MHCLG Fire Engineering Skills Hub

Overview

This funding is for a skills hub that trains the next generation of fire engineers. EPSRC and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have up to £5.9 million in total. It will support up to two skills hubs. A hub must deliver three things. First, a cohort-based doctoral training programme, with up to two cohorts on a four-year doctorate. The funders expect to support at least 18 students across the one or two hubs. Second, new or updated level 7 taught postgraduate programmes in fire engineering. Third, level 7 continuing professional development (CPD) training for people already working in fire engineering or related fields, including bridging and conversion modules. You must deliver all three. The funding responds to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, which called for more fire engineers and more master's level places. It is part of the government's Building Workforce programme. The call is only open to higher education institutions. Each organisation can lead only one submitted application. You are expected to form a consortium, and it must include an organisation with doctoral research degree awarding powers. EPSRC will fund 100% of eligible costs. Estates and indirect costs are not funded. Projects must start between 1 April 2027 and 1 October 2027. Doctoral training can run for up to 60 months. Funding for level 7 and CPD development must be spent by the end of March 2029. The closing date is 3 November 2026 at 4:00pm UK time. One caveat: the page says an expression of interest had to be completed by 1 October 2026 at 4:00pm UK time. That date has now passed. Official source: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/focal-award-epsrc-and-mhclg-fire-engineering-skills-hub/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 15 October 2026.