UK Research and Innovation (EPSRC)

Manufacturing Scale-up Network Plus

UKRI funding for one Network Plus that will build and coordinate a UK community around scaling up manufacturing innovation, focused on aerospace and automotive with wider links to batteries, space and advanced materials. It runs for up to five years (a 12-month scoping phase then a 48-month network phase) and includes a flexible fund for feasibility studies and other early-stage work. The full economic cost can be up to £5.63 million, of which UKRI funds 80% (up to £4.5 million). It is for UK universities and other UKRI-eligible research organisations; an Intent to Submit by 11 November 2026 is compulsory.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: £1 – £5,630,000
Deadline: 52 days left; 9 December
Effort: Heavy; budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

UK higher education institutions, research council institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations, eligible public sector research establishments and NHS bodies with research capacity, under standard UKRI organisation and individual eligibility
Applicants need the capability and reach to convene diverse, cross-sector stakeholders across UK advanced manufacturing
Businesses cannot be applicant organisations but are expected to be project partners
Holders of postdoctoral-level fellowships cannot apply for an EPSRC grant
People based outside the UK cannot be project lead or co-lead, except co-leads at Norwegian institutions under the UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation agreement (or under the UKRI-IIASA agreement)
Any individual may appear on only one application as project lead and on two in total
The research organisation must complete the Intent to Submit by 4pm on 11 November 2026

What it funds

A Network Plus delivering:

A shared evidence base and industry-informed strategic roadmap for manufacturing scale-up research and innovation by the end of year one
A connected and inclusive manufacturing scale-up community across academia, industry, investors, Catapults, innovation centres, policymakers and government, including a national conference, showcase or equivalent event within the first 12 months
Strong links between existing UKRI investments and new Advanced Manufacturing Programme investments, such as the Manufacturing Scale-up Research and Innovation: Automotive and Aerospace projects
A flexible funding programme supporting feasibility studies and other early-stage activities up to TRL 4 that address manufacturing scale-up challenges
Stronger pathways from research and innovation to industrial deployment
Strategic intelligence, capability development and advice for UKRI and stakeholders
Costs UKRI will fund: community building and networking activities, appropriate administrative and management support, flexible funds (up to 50% of total eligible project costs) for demonstrators, feasibility studies, translational research, proof of concept, market validation and activities targeting policy, business and the third sector, and equipment to facilitate communication, networking and events

What it will not fund

Applications that do not clearly address challenges in the advanced manufacturing frontier industry sectors
Applications that do not include automotive and aerospace as the primary sector focus
Longer-term research carried out by the Network Plus itself (flexible funds may commission small-scale research)
Equipment over £25,000
Laboratory or research equipment
Uninvited resubmissions of projects already submitted to UKRI

How to apply

Start an application on the UKRI Funding Service to get its reference number
Complete the Intent to Submit (expression of interest) survey by 4pm on 11 November 2026
Write the application in the Funding Service and send it to your research office for checking
Your research office submits it to UKRI by 4pm on 9 December 2026
If oversubscribed, an expert panel shortlists up to four applications for interview

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