This funding opportunity, jointly supported by EPSRC and the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, aims to foster research collaborations in telecommunications between UK and Indian researchers. With a total fund of £3,500,000 from EPSRC and matched resources from DST India, the initiative seeks to advance projects in Future telecoms/Networks, leveraging the expertise and innovation potential of both nations.

Key Dates

• Opening Date: 19th July 2024 (9:00am UK / 1:30pm India)

• Webinar: To be confirmed

• Closing Date: 24th September 2024 (4:00pm UK / 5:00pm India)

Duration

4 years, starting Feb 2025 in the UK and April-May 2025 in India.

Who Can Apply

UK Applicants

• PIs must be eligible for UKRI funding.

Indian Applicants

• PIs and Co-Is must be scientists/faculty at eligible institutions, not retiring/leaving during the project. Those with two or more ongoing DST projects not ending by 31st March 2025 are ineligible.

Research Areas

• Private networks

• Softwarisation of networks

• Satellites

• Future services (ecommerce, AI, cloud, etc.)

• Open Radio Access Networks (ORAN)

• Networking software and systems architecture

• Network of networks

• Cyber security across networks

• Spectrum innovation

• Resilient communications

• Sustainable communications (Net Zero)

• Sensor data across networks (e.g., waste management)

Funding Available

EPSRC

• Staff costs

• Equipment (up to £400,000 per item)

• Project costs

• Travel and subsistence

DST

• Exchange visits, contingency, consumables, equipment, minor accessories

• Institutional overhead

• Manpower (JRF/SRF/RA) per DST norms

• Up to 30% for consumables and accessories

How to Apply

UK Applicants

• Apply via UKRI Funding Service.

• Ensure your organisation is registered. You cannot apply on the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system.

• Complete the application process on the UKRI Funding Service.

• Answer questions and upload documents as needed.

• Check application in ‘read-only’ view.

• Send application to research office for final submission.

Indian Applicants

• Apply via e-PMS on www.onlinedst.gov.in.

• Ensure identical title submission by UK partners.

• Submit endorsed applications.

Joint Proforma

• Download the template from “supporting documents/format”.

• Fill in all answers and upload to both UKRI and DST.

Funding Available:

• Total Fund: £3,500,000 from EPSRC, matched by DST India

• Per Application: £800,000 - £1,000,000 from EPSRC, up to 8 Cr from DST

Application Steps:

Application Steps (UK)

1. Confirm project lead.

2. Sign in or create a Funding Service account.

3. Answer questions directly and upload necessary documents.

4. Check application in ‘read-only’ view.

5. Send completed application to your research office for final submission.

Application Steps (India)

1. Submit proposals via e-PMS.

2. Ensure identical title submission by UK partners.

3. Submit endorsed applications.

Deadline

• UK: 4:00pm on 23rd September 2024

• India: 5:00pm on 23rd September 2024

Contact Information

• UK Applicants: support@funding-service.ukri.org

• Indian Applicants: www.onlinedst.gov.in

Further Guidance

• UKRI Funding Service: how applicants use the Funding Service

• Research Office Webinars: Detailed guidance on application submission

• References: Include directly in the application; use persistent identifiers where possible.

Personal Data

• Managed securely by EPSRC and DST in line with respective data protection laws.

• Publication of outcomes on EPSRC and DST websites.

For More funding Opportunities, Visit Global Funding Opportunities.