Manufacturing Scale-up Network Plus (Grant)

Opportunity to build a Network Plus to accelerate the scale-up of manufacturing innovation, driving growth across aerospace, automotive and wider UK advanced manufacturing frontier industries.[NF5.1][NF5.2] You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding. Total funding: £5.62 million Maximum award: £5.62 million Location: National Who can apply: Public Sector, Non-profit, Private Sector Closing date: 2026-12-09 16:00 (UK time) Eligibility This funding opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility. Check if your organisation is eligible. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) individual eligibility rules apply. For full details, visit UKRI’s eligibility page. Who is eligible to apply This funding opportunity is for applicants with the capability and reach to convene diverse, cross-sector stakeholders from across the UK manufacturing ecosystem within the advanced manufacturing frontier industries. Through strong leadership and effective partnership building, applicants should create a collaborative community that can identify opportunities, address common challenges and accelerate the translation and adoption of manufacturing innovation. Network Plus grants are open to: - UK higher education institutions - research council institutes - UKRI-approved independent research organisations - eligible public sector research establishments - NHS bodies with research capacity Any individual can only appear on one application as project lead and only two projects in total. For example, one as project lead and one as co-lead or two as co-lead. Who is not eligible to apply Holders of postdoctoral level fellowships are not eligible to apply for an EPSRC grant. Individuals based in non-UK countries can be involved in the grant as visiting researchers, project partners, or members of advisory boards. However, they are not eligible to be project leads or co-leads, with the exception of individuals based at Norwegian institutions, who are eligible to be co-leads. Businesses are not eligible applicant organisations Summary This is a funding opportunity to build a Network Plus to accelerate the scale-up of manufacturing innovation, driving growth across aerospace, automotive and wider UK advanced manufacturing frontier industries. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding. Projects can run for up to 60 months, including a 12-month scoping phase to map capabilities, benchmark activity, horizon-scan and convene a conference or showcase, followed by a 48-month network phase. The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £5.63 million. UKRI will fund £4.5 million (80% of the FEC). You must complete an Intent to Submit to be eligible to apply. Objectives Demand management Demand management is being applied to this funding opportunity. Any individual can only appear on one application as project lead and only two projects in total. For example, one as project lead and one as co-lead or two as co-lead. Network Plus A Network Plus is a strategic investment which brings together and coordinates research communities and identifies, prioritises and develops future research challenges. A detailed description and other important information regarding th Dates Assessment process We will assess your application using the following process. Shortlisting If necessary, due to oversubscription, we will use an expert peer review assessment panel to review each application and shortlist up to four applications. Shortlisted applications will be invited to interview. Expert review If using, we will invite an expert panel to review your application independently, against the specified criteria for this funding opportunity.You will not be able to nominate review How to apply Click https://funding-service.ukri.org/OPP1394/apply/1427 on the UKRI Funding Service to apply. Intent to Submit You must complete an Intent to Submit (ItS) form by 4:00pm UK time on 11 November 2026 to be eligib