Funding & benefits
a PhD
at least four years’ experience in a relevant field by the start of your fellowship.
discovery science
innovation
instrumentation and technique development
software engineering.
have already been in receipt of significant funding or have been leading in an area of technical development
have a planned programme of work up to five years in duration which will deliver high quality research with a focus on discovery science, innovation, instrumentation or technique development, or software engineering
Eligible programmes & fields
Use the verified study fields above for subject-fit screening and confirm the exact eligible degree on the provider’s official programme page before applying.
About this opportunity
EPSRC open fellowship is an official-source-verified opportunity offered by UK Research and Innovation — Funding Finder in United Kingdom. Eligible academic level: PhD / Doctoral · Postdoctoral. Recorded funding: Funding & benefits. Application deadline: Applications closed. Review the verified eligibility, benefits and official application route below before applying. You can apply if you have a PhD or have worked in a relevant field for at least four years by the start date of your fellowship. There are no restrictions on nationality or rules about how many years of postdoctoral experience you need. The application deadline is 2023-03-30.
The opportunity currently maps to study areas including All study areas. Use the programme and eligibility sections below to decide whether the opportunity matches your academic background before opening the official application portal.
Key dates
Eligibility requirements
- Research grants are open to UK higher education institutions, research council institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations, Public Sector Research Establishments and NHS bodies with research capacity.
- Read the guidance on institutional eligibility.
- You can apply if you have a PhD or have worked in a relevant field for at least four years by the start date of your fellowship.
- There are no eligibility rules about how many years of postdoctoral experience you need or whether you are currently in a permanent academic position.
- We encourage applications from candidates who have taken a non-standard career path after their first degree.
- We also welcome applications from candidates who want to move back into research after a career break or any other type of break from active research.
- There are no restrictions on nationality.
- For more information, read our fellowship application guide.
- We will not accept uninvited resubmissions of projects that have already been submitted to UKRI or any other funder.
- Submissions to this call will count towards the EPSRC repeatedly unsuccessful applicants policy.
“There are no eligibility rules about how many years of postdoctoral experience you need or whether you are currently in a permanent academic position.”
Should you apply?
Applicants should be at PhD / Doctoral or Postdoctoral level working in All study areas. The decisive requirement, in UK Research and Innovation — Funding Finder's words, is: "There are no eligibility rules about how many years of postdoctoral experience you need or whether you are currently in a permanent academic position." Expect to prepare 2 documents (listed below).
Check these against your profile
- Academic level: PhD / Doctoral or Postdoctoral.
- Study area: All study areas.
- Citizenship / nationality rule: There are no restrictions on nationality..
- Prior degree / academic background: You can apply if you have a PhD or have worked in a relevant field for at least four years by the start date of your fellowship..
- Study destination: United Kingdom.
Review carefully if
- Applicants who do not hold the required prior degree/background may not be eligible.
This is a factual checklist of verified programme requirements, not a personalised eligibility decision. The awarding institution makes the final eligibility decision.
Required documents
- can demonstrate that you have acquired the skills and expertise to successfully deliver your research proposal, and that you are committed to being an advocate for EPSRC and to implementing good practice in creating a modern and inclusive research environment
- narrative CV and track record (four pages) for the fellowship candidate only (see template)
Application process
- You can apply if you have a PhD or have worked in a relevant field for at least four years by the start date of your fellowship.
- If you are not sure, contact the relevant portfolio manager or theme fellowship coordinator, or submit a remit query (EPSRC)
- You must apply using the Joint Electronic Submission (Je-S) system.
Application checklist
- Compare your profile with the verified eligibility criteria on this page.
- Review the official application page for the complete list of required documents.
- Use the official application route linked on this page rather than a third-party submission form.
- Submit before the verified application timing shown in the Key dates section.
This checklist organises the verified requirements already shown on this page; it does not replace the provider’s official instructions.
Frequently asked questions
What are the eligibility requirements?
In UK Research and Innovation — Funding Finder's own words: "There are no eligibility rules about how many years of postdoctoral experience you need or whether you are currently in a permanent academic position."
Which nationalities are eligible?
The eligibility record states: There are no restrictions on nationality.
Which degree level does EPSRC open fellowship support?
It is for PhD / Doctoral or Postdoctoral level applicants at UK Research and Innovation — Funding Finder in United Kingdom.
Is EPSRC open fellowship still open?
No. The most recent round has closed (deadline 30 March 2023). This award has run before; check the official page for the next round.
Which documents does UK Research and Innovation — Funding Finder ask for?
The official page lists 2 items: can demonstrate that you have acquired the skills and expertise to successfully deliver your research proposal, and that you are committed to being an advocate for EPSRC and to implementing good practice in creating a modern and inclusive research environment, narrative CV and track record (four pages) for the fellowship candidate only (see template).
How was this information verified?
Every fact on this page was read from UK Research and Innovation — Funding Finder's official pages, which ScholarshipFrontier rechecks automatically; the sources and the last check date are listed at the bottom of the page.
Official sources & verification
ScholarshipFrontier checks official scholarship, admissions and programme pages and keeps source evidence separate from the public summary.
Official sources last checked: 5 Oct 2026 · Verified yesterday
About UK Research and Innovation — Funding Finder
UK Research and Innovation — Funding Finder is based in United Kingdom and publishes this opportunity on its own official pages, which ScholarshipFrontier reads directly.
All verified opportunities from UK Research and Innovation — Funding Finder