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.
Open calls with demand management
- Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowships
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The Royal Academy of Engineering offers Research Fellowships each year to outstanding early-career researchers to support them to become future research leaders in engineering.
The standard limit for each host institution is 2 bids, however we can submit up to 4 bids if at least 2 of the 4 applications are submitted by candidates from RAEng identified underrepresented groups (women; black people including those with any mixed ethnicity with black ethnic backgrounds; and disabled people).
If you are interested in applying for this call, please contact research.initiatives@sussex.ac.uk by 24 July 2025 so that we can determine if an internal selection process is needed.
- EPSRC Strategic Infrastructure
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The EPSRC Strategic Infrastructure call 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 applications which are of the highest strategic 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.
Future calls with known demand management
- BBSRC mid-range equipment for biosciences
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This annual call is likely to open in October 2025 and have a deadline in early January 2026. The internal selection process will open in September.
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. Applications for this call and the one run by the MRC are reviewed together. Information on the internal selection process will be available shortly.
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 2024 call for more information.
- MRC mid-range equipment
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This annual call is likely to open in September 2025 and will have a deadline in mid-December 2025. The internal selection process will open in September.
Institutions can only submit one application so an internal selection process will be needed. Applications for this call and the one run by BBSRC are reviewed together. Information on the internal selection process will be available shortly.
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 2024 call for more information.
- NERC Pushing the Frontiers
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NERC's Pushing the Frontiers call is looking to fund ambitious, high risk and high reward curiosity-driven projects in environmental research. NERC's next deadline will be in January 2026 and Sussex will be able to submit a single application.
The internal selection process will open in September 2025.
- NIHR Research Professorships
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The annual call is likely to open in 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 likely to open in September 2025 with an early December 2025 deadline. See the 2024 call 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 LMICs eligible for Official Development Assistance.
NIHR limits the number of bids an institution can submit. An internal selection process was undertaken in July 2025 and candidates have been selected.