Demand managed funding calls
Demand managed funding calls are those where the number of applications an institution can submit or the number of awards the funder will make is limited. In these cases, the University is required to coordinate internal review processes to preselect the applications which can be submitted to the funder for consideration.
- EPSRC Strategic Infrastructure
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The provides minimum funding of £400k for institutions to purchase strategic infrastructure including equipment, resources, or both.
EPSRC expects institutions to take a strategic approach to prioritise application which are of the highest strateguc importance as institutions can submit no more than six applications in the period 18 June 2025 to 17 June 2026.
If you are interested in applying to this scheme please discuss with your Associate Dean Research and Innovation and Debbie Foy.
- BBSRC mid-range equipment for biosciences
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This annual call is expected to open in October 2025 and have a deadline in early January 2026.
The call allows for requests of between £200k and £1.5M and BBSRC will fund 100% of the full economic cost. Applicants are encouraged to apply for equipment that is widely used and underpins capabilities across all scientific areas within BBSRC's remit; that promotes collaboration and increased access to users; and the use of emerging advanced research technology or utilisation of equipment in new ways. See the for more information.
Institutions are not limited in the number of bids they can submit, however there is an expectation that bids are prioritised given the limited funding. Please contact Debbie Foy by 23 September 2025 if you are interested in applying to this call so that we can gauge interest levels and determine if an internal selection process is needed.
If a selection is needed, all PIs will need to complete the BBSRC and MRC mid-range equipment internal proforma [DOCX 25.87KB]. Applications for this call and the one run by the MRC are reviewed together.
- MRC mid-range equipment
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This annual call is expected to open in October 2025 and will have a deadline in mid-December 2025.
The call allows requests of between £100k-£800k and MRC will fund 100% of the full economic cost. The total item cost may be higher, with the remainder met by institutional or partner contributions. Applications may be for new capability or replacement equipment for existing capablity. See the for more information.
Institutions can only submit one application so an internal selection may be needed. Please contact Debbie Foy by 23 September 2025 if you are interested in applying to this call so that we can gauge interest levels and determine if an internal selection process is needed.
If a selection process is needed, all PIs will need to complete the BSRC and MRC mid-range equipment internal proforma [DOCX 25.87KB]. Applications for this call and the one run by the BBSRC are reviewed together.
- NERC Pushing the Frontiers
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NERC's looking to fund ambitious, high risk and high reward curiosity-driven projects in environmental research. Sussex will be able to submit a single application to the next deadline in January 2026 therefore an internal selection process is needed.
If you are interested in applying to this call please read the NERC Pushing the Frontiers Internal Selection Process Guidance [PDF 70.27KB] and complete the NERC Pushing the Frontiers internal proforma January 2026 [DOCX 26.05KB].
The internal deadline is 12 noon, 17 October 2025. Applications should be submitted to research.initiatives@sussex.ac.uk
- NIHR Research Professorships
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The annual call is expected to open in late September 2025 with an early December 2025 deadline.
The 5-year highly competitive award allows outstanding academics of all professions to work at professorial level based at a higher education institution, in partnership with an NHS organisation or another provider of health, public health and/or health services.
NIHR limits the number of bids an institution can sumbit. An internal selection process was undertaken in July 2025 and candidates have been selected.
- NIHR Global Health Research Professorships
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The annual call is expected to open in late September 2025 with an early December 2025 deadline. See the for more information.
The 5-year highly competitive award supports outstanding academics to work at professorial level on research that aims to specifically and primarily benefit people in .
NIHR limits the number of bids an institution can submit. An internal selection process was undertaken in July 2025 and candidates have been selected.