Mathematical Sciences Early Independence Fellowship (Fellowship)
- Funding
- Up to £1,250,000
- Deadline
- 31 March 2027
- Location
- UK-wide
- Applications
- Rolling applications
Overview
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, funds early independence fellowships in mathematical sciences. Project full economic cost (FEC) can reach £1,250,000, and EPSRC pays 80% of it. Applicants need a PhD plus postdoctoral experience or equivalent, and must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding. Fellowships run for up to five years and can be held part-time. Most of the research novelty must fall within EPSRC's mathematical sciences remit. The opportunity is always open. A closing date of 31 March 2027 shows on the Funding Service, but EPSRC says to disregard it. Applications are assessed in two batches a year. Submit by 4pm on 30 September or 30 April to join one. Costs covered include staff for the fellow and a small number of research staff, equipment from £25,000 to £400,000 per item, travel and subsistence, training, visa fees and impact costs. An optional plus element has you spend 20% to 50% of your time on research environment topics.
Requirements to check
Who can apply:
Key requirements:
- Most of the research novelty must be within EPSRC's mathematical sciences remit
- You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding
- EPSRC funds 80% of the full economic cost, which can be up to £1,250,000
- Projects last up to five years and can be held part-time
- Established academics and those who have already led research staff for more than 12 months are not eligible
- No feedback is given on fellowship applications
Who it is for
- Researchers with a PhD plus postdoctoral experience or equivalent
- Applicants whose research novelty mostly sits within EPSRC's mathematical sciences remit
- People based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding
- Applicants of any nationality, including those not currently in the UK, if the fellowship is hosted at an eligible UK organisation
- Candidates who have taken a non-standard career path or are returning after a career break
- Researchers with evidence of productivity and career development across past appointments
Who it is not for
- Established academics who have shown sustained career independence
- Anyone who directed research vision and supervised postdoctoral staff for more than 12 months
- Anyone holding a comparable early independence fellowship or a new investigator award from any organisation
- Anyone with another UKRI fellowship of this type or an EPSRC new investigator award under assessment
- Projects where most of the research falls under other EPSRC themes or other research councils
- Anyone seeking PhD studentship costs, publication costs, mentor costs or bridging funds between grants
You need a PhD plus postdoctoral experience or equivalent, and evidence of skills, career development and productivity. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding. Applicants of all nationalities are welcome. You are not eligible if you are an established academic, have directed research and supervised postdoctoral staff for more than 12 months, have a comparable fellowship or new investigator award, or have a similar application being assessed.
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
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Start freeWho is this for?
Early-career mathematical scientists with a PhD and postdoctoral experience who are ready to lead their own research and build their independence.
Regions
No published award history for UK Research and Innovation, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Some funders do not publish their grants data.
Full details from UK Research and Innovation, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Apply for an early independence fellowship if your research focus is within EPSRC Mathematical Sciences remit. You must have: a PhD evidence of career consolidation and past productivity plans for establishing your own research niche that enables a step-change towards independence
How to apply
Apply through the UKRI Funding Service, not Je-S. Select 'Start application', confirm you are the fellow, then sign in or create an account. Answer the questions in the text boxes, then send your application to your research office. They check it and submit it to UKRI for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I get from the EPSRC Mathematical Sciences Early Independence Fellowship?
The FEC of your project can be up to £1,250,000, and EPSRC will fund 80% of the FEC. Projects last up to five years.
When is the Mathematical Sciences Early Independence Fellowship deadline?
There is no deadline, as the opportunity is always open. To join an assessment batch, submit by 4pm on 30 September or 30 April, and disregard the 31 March 2027 date on the Funding Service.
Who is not eligible for the Mathematical Sciences Early Independence Fellowship?
Established academics are excluded, as is anyone who directed research and supervised postdoctoral staff for more than 12 months. You are also ineligible if you hold a comparable early independence fellowship or a new investigator award.
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Create free accountLast updated: 9 November 2026