Pump Prime Information (Academic)

Opportunity Status

Round Four (Final Round) Closed

Funders

The UK Metamaterials Network (funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC))

Maximum Award

£50,000 (80% of eligible costs)

Opening Date

2nd March 2026 8:00 am UK time

Closing date

17th April 2026 16:00 UK time

Application Form

Closed

Drop In Sessions

Eligibility

Before applying for funding, check the Eligibility of your organisation.

EPSRC standard eligibility rules apply, postdoctoral researchers may apply if supported by their supervisor and dependent on the conditions of their funding. For full details, visit EPSRC’s eligibility page and review the UK Metamaterials Network’s (UKMMN) funding governance.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI)

For details on the UKMMN EDI policy please visit our UKMMN EDI Policy.

What are we looking for

Aim

The Network aims to distribute these funds to support the development of projects with a pathway to applications for large-scale grant funding. These funds will support the aims and objectives of the Network. Successful proposals will clearly demonstrate the potential to develop into larger scale bids for funding or impact development.

What is a Pump Prime Fund?

Pump Prime Funds are used to kick-start projects. The Pump Prime Fund is intended to support initial stages of work to enable researchers to gather preliminary data or explore innovative ideas which will lead to large-scale grant applications in metamaterials.

Duration

The award is expected to last up to 12 months from the date of agreement with the University of Exeter, with a period of up to 6 months allowed prior to the start of the award to hire necessary staff. For example, if the award is agreed in February 2025 with the legal agreement in place by March 2025 the start date for the award could be between March and September 2025.

Funding available

Grants from the PP funding are valued at 80% of eligible costs, the Network’s contribution will typically be £40,000–£50,000. For full details see the Funding Governance. If you have any questions please email info@metamaterials.network.

How to Apply

We are running this funding opportunity through an online application process.

The project lead is responsible for completing the application process. Only the lead research organisation can submit an application.

Personal data

Processing personal data

The UKMMN will need to collect some personal information to manage your Funding Service account and the registration of your funding applications.

We will handle personal data in line with UK data protection legislation and manage it securely.

Publication of outcomes

The UKMMN will publish reports on successful applications on a regular basis. If your application is successful, we will publish some personal information on our website: https://metamaterials.network/ connected to the reports on the grant.

Selection Criteria

Full selection criteria may be found in the Funding Governance documentation. In brief, selection and funding of top-class pilot research is a key responsibility for UKMMN. Apart from research quality, key criteria for funding a pilot project idea will be:

the novelty, significance and capability of their investigator(s) to develop these ideas into competitive full-scale proposals for the UKMMN;
the importance of the project;
the project’s potential impact;
and, the applicant’s ability to deliver the proposed project within budget and in time.

Contact details

For help and advice on costings and writing your proposal please contact your research office in the first instance, allowing sufficient time for your organisation’s submission process.

For questions related to this specific funding opportunity please contact info@metamaterials.network

FAQ

Can the Pump Prime Fund be used to fund the time of researchers?

The Pump Prime Fund should be used to pay for the time of the researcher(s) (normally a postdoc or student) directly undertaking the work on a project. See Appendix 4 in Pump Prime Information (Academic) – UK Metamaterials Network for further definition of Operating Expenses, Overhead Expenses and Oncosts.

Are the budgets for the Pump Prime funds are to be costed at 100% of eligible costs?

As per the guidance Pump Prime Information (Academic) – UK Metamaterials Network, the Network will pay the Operating Expenses as described below at 80%. The overhead costs will not be covered by the Network funds. If the submitted budget is not costed at 80% the application will be rejected.

Can I include a partner who is not based in the UK, but are part of the network??

You are able to include a partner who is not based in the UK providing that it does not contravene any knowledge export controls. Also, it will be the UK applicant that receives the funding and the UK participant must fulfil the EPSRC applicant criteria.

Are publication fees eligible costs?

You are permitted to include publication fees in your costings. Final decisions on applications and costs will be at the panel’s discretion.

Can I include a researcher co-I in my application?

You are permitted to include researcher co-I costs. Final decisions on applications and costs will be at the panel’s discretion.

Can a post-doc be a lead applicant for this call?

Postdocs can (provided they have a letter of support from the grant holder for the project they are working on and that they fulfil the other terms and conditions of the Pump Prime Fund) be named as the PI for a Pump Prime Grant.

Is a support letter is required with my application?

The lead applicant must have received preliminary financial and contractual approval from their university. We do not require a formal letter of support from your organisation at this stage, but if your application is successful, we will ask for the financial and contractual approval from your institution (e.g. email, letter, other written confirmation).

Does the funding also cover the time of researchers who are lecturers or professors? Or must it be postdocs or students?

You are able to include lecturer or professor’s time in the costing if it will be beneficial to the overall project plan. However, please consider the most effective use for the funds and whether the Pump Prime Funds could be used in conjunction with existing research time.

Funding is provided at 80% of eligible costs, but no overheads are chargeable. If so, can you please clarify what costs are eligible to be funded and at what rate they will be funded.

Operating expenses are costs such as salary, travel, and consumables, they represent direct costs to the project which means these expenses are required and cannot be avoided.

Overhead expenses are other costs not related to labour, travel, or consumables. They represent more static costs and pertain to general functions, such as estates, insurance, professional services and
Overhead expenses are other costs not related to labour, travel, or consumables. They represent more static costs and pertain to general functions, such as estates, insurance, professional services and generic university facility costs such as access to seminar rooms (please enquire as to specific costs). Tracked facility costs required for a project may be included.

On-costs are any additional costs that need to be taken into account, in addition to salary, to budget the full employment costs of a new post or existing staff member. The primary on-costs that are borne by the University are: National Insurance, Pension and Apprenticeship Levy. We advise that you consult with your finance department for further guidance. The Pump Prime Fund may be used for the operating of a project. It may not be used to pay the Overheads of a project. The Pump Prime Fund should be used to pay for the time of the researcher(s) (normally a postdoc or student) directly undertaking the work on a project.

Will funds cover Postdoctoral Research Assistant or student time on the project – or would this be considered an operating cost?

Yes, this is an eligible cost.

My current contract end date is in 14 months. Could you please let me know if I am eligible to apply.

You would be eligible if your planned project could be and would be completed by that date, given that it is likely the awards will be made and the legal agreements finalised within 4-5 months after application. Please plan an application accordingly. Applicants must be in post for the full duration of the project.