We are issuing a call for proposals under our Whole Systems Networking Fund, which is designed to improve Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), collaboration and networking in energy research. We have £354,000 to allocate to up to four, early career researcher (ECR) led projects through grants of up to £88,500.
The application window is 18 November 2025 to 30 January 2026, and proposals will be assessed via a two-stage review process. Successful projects will be welcomed into the consortium and benefit from a range of career development and networking opportunities.
The Whole Systems Networking Fund will:
We welcome proposals that align with UKERC’s current research areas. We also welcome proposals for interdisciplinary research, approaches, and methods that speak to more than one current research area. The aim behind aligning WSNF proposals with UKERC’s current research is to provide opportunities for regular and in-depth engagement and networking within UKERC around particular topics. Find out more about our current Research Activities.
We have £354,000 of funding to allocate to up to four projects. This will be done at 80% Full Economic Costs (FEC), meaning UKERC will fund 80% of the total project costs. For example, if a project costs £75,000, UKERC will award a grant of £60,000 with the project’s host institution expected to cover the remaining 20%. Applicants can apply for any award up to the value of £88,500 (at 100% costs).
Please download the Application Form and Call Guidance.
Please complete the form, save it as a Word document with the file name ‘WSNF-name of project’ and send via email to UKERC@imperial.ac.uk by 17:00 on 30 January 2026. There will be a two stage assessment process, further details of which are outlined in the Call Guidance. Successful proposals will be notified by March 2026, with work commencing in the following month, and completed by 31 March 2028.
Please check that you meet all eligibility criteria outlined in the Call Guidance before applying.
For general enquiries relating to UKERC’s WSNF, please contact our Engagement Manager Oluwatobi Balogun on oluwatobi.balogun@ukerc.ac.uk. For enquiries specifically relating to eligibility and contracting, please contact our Operations Manager Jessica Bays j.bays@ukerc.ac.uk.