Funding for large-scale projects to improve HEP research facilities and to build strategic partnerships between HEPs and other research organisations.

The UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF) is available to UK universities to support investment in long-term capital projects that leverage in significant private funding.

The fund will support large-scale projects that can leverage substantial co-investment from private sources building on the research excellence in the higher education sector.

The funding can be used to support the development of research infrastructure, including:

• New buildings
• Major refurbishment of existing facilities
• The purchase of high-cost research equipment.

This funding is for capital goods and services only and is available between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2025.

Funding is available to all UK higher education providers (HEPs) eligible for research funding from either:

• Research England
• HEFCW
• SFC
• DfENI.

Applicants must have a significant track record of research excellence.

Funding is also available to research institutes that receive core funding from UK Research and Innovation and are wholly owned by a research council, provided the project is in partnership with a lead HEP.

Applicants can bid for funding between £10 million to £50 million per project.

Round seven applicants have the option to choose between two tranches:

• Tranche one: a one-stage process in which full bids will be submitted directly. This is for projects at a more mature stage of development, where the shorter timescale is expected to be more responsive to live opportunities
• Tranche two: a two-stage process, with an ‘expression of interest’ stage followed by submission of full bids. This is for projects that require further development before they are ready for assessment.

An intent submit must be sent by the deadline of 4 August 2022 (12:00 UK time).

How To Apply

Round seven applicants have the option to choose between two tranches:

• Tranche one: a one-stage process in which full bids will be submitted directly. This is for projects at a more mature stage of development, where the shorter timescale is expected to be more responsive to live opportunities
• Tranche two: a two-stage process, with an ‘expression of interest’ stage followed by submission of full bids. This is for projects that require further development before they are ready for assessment (for example, those requiring further partnership development or securing planning permission).

An intent submit must be sent by the deadline of 4 August 2022 (12:00 UK time).

For more information, visit the Research England website.