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EPSRC Support By Theme


Capability Themes
EPSRC’s support for excellent, long-term disciplinary and multidisciplinary research, in engineering and the physical sciences.

Please Note: Challenge theme funding that is delivered by the Capability themes is excluded from the table below.


National Capability ThemeNumber of GrantsProportional Value (£)
Engineering371 281,881,060
Information and Communication Technologies409 348,295,748
Mathematical Sciences345 212,596,436
Physical Sciences494 485,477,262
Research Infrastructure181 132,712,354

Total Number of Grants: 1,800
Total Value of Grants: £1,460,962,861


Challenge Themes
EPSRC’s support for research to help solve some of the most serious global, economic and societal challenges facing the UK.

The grants values listed below include Challenge theme funding that is delivered by the Capability themes.

Challenge ThemeNumber of GrantsProportional Value (£)
Digital Economy44 52,760,041
Energy136 160,489,627
Global Uncertainties13 9,110,028
Healthcare Technologies189 232,592,524
Manufacturing the Future103 163,834,136
Quantum Technologies74 253,235,008

Total Number of Grants: 559
Total Value of Grants: £872,021,364


Non Theme Specific Funding
Some types of funding (large training awards such as the Doctoral Training Accounts or Institutional type awards) cannot be easily and immediately (at the time of award) attributed to individual Capability or Challenge themes. However, to allow a fuller comparison of the funding portfolio by theme, the value and number of such awards, are reported in this table. Where possible, the funding listed in this table will be attributed to individual Capability and Challenge themes in due course.

Non Theme SpecificNumber of GrantsValue (£)
103 62,844,114