The EPSRC Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship is open with no closing date on the current UKRI opportunity page. It supports an early-career research and development programme for up to three years. Most research novelty must lie within mathematical sciences; this is not an unrestricted postdoctoral call for every EPSRC subject.
Which EPSRC fellowship is currently available?
Use the live mathematical sciences opportunity rather than an old summary of all EPSRC fellowships. UKRI’s earlier postdoctoral and open-fellowship guidance concerns routes that were closed to new applications. A familiar programme name does not prove the old call remains available.
| Funder | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council |
|---|---|
| Current status | Open, no closing date |
| Standard duration | Up to three years |
| Application system | UKRI Funding Service |
| Submission | Through the eligible lead research organisation |
Qualifications and research scope
The current call requires a PhD or the specified relevant experience by fellowship start and support from an eligible UK research organisation. It is intended for early-career applicants who have not already held significant research funding or led substantial technical development.
Novel mathematical or statistical development can be interdisciplinary, but simply applying a mature method in another field may fall outside the remit. If the mathematical contribution is unclear, contact EPSRC about scope before developing a full application.
Write a short private scope note: the mathematical question, the new method or insight, and the role of any application area. If that note describes only a practical application without a mathematical advance, discuss whether another funding route is more appropriate.
What costs are supported?
UKRI funds 80% of the project’s full economic cost, with no overall grant-value limit stated on the opportunity page. The call restricts additional researcher costs and individual equipment items above its specified threshold. Part-time arrangements are possible under its duration rules.
Have the host research office prepare and check the budget. A percentage of full economic cost is not a personal cash award. Separate salary, research resources, travel and institutional costs, and justify each requested item against the work programme.
A useful costing discussion asks whether an expense is necessary, when it will arise and how the estimate was obtained. Do not add resources only because the call has no overall maximum; reviewers still assess whether the request is appropriate.
Why host support matters
The host should support both delivery of the research and the fellow’s development. Agree on facilities, protected research time, mentoring and opportunities to acquire relevant skills. Discuss internal review requirements even though the funder has no fixed closing date.
Put a realistic development plan alongside the research plan. Identify skills you need, the experience that will build them and how progress can be assessed. A list of generic training courses is less useful than explaining why a specific capability matters to your next career stage.
Application materials and review
The opportunity page provides the actual application questions and assessment areas. Prepare a clear research vision, approach, capability evidence, development plan, resources and host support. Follow the current form’s word limits and upload instructions.
The official Funding Service guide explains drafting, collaboration and review. Applications should be self-contained; hyperlinks cannot extend the answer beyond the permitted material. Make the scientific argument understandable within the application itself.
How to submit
- Confirm remit and eligibility on the live opportunity page.
- Agree the host arrangement and internal review timetable.
- Start the application from UKRI’s official opportunity button.
- Complete the required sections and costings.
- Send the draft to the research office for checking and final submission.
The fellow prepares the application, but the lead research organisation submits it to UKRI. Save progress and review the read-only version before sending it for approval. Keep a copy of the submitted version and monitor status through the official account.
The current opportunity explicitly explains that a system-generated closing date can appear despite the always-open status. Follow that opportunity’s instructions, while still meeting your host organisation’s own review schedule.
Related UK funding
Compare the Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship, Commonwealth Master’s and Chevening guides.
Frequently asked questions
Can any engineering project use this call?
No. The mathematical-sciences remit must be satisfied.
Is there a fixed current deadline?
The live opportunity states no closing date.
Can the fellow submit directly without the host?
No. The lead research organisation completes the submission.