Doctoral Focal Award: Chip Design and Verification (UK)

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is offering a Doctoral Focal Award to support interdisciplinary training in chip design and verification. This opportunity aims to develop expertise in very large-scale integration (VLSI) design and systems-on-chip. The initiative is part of the UK Government’s AI Hardware Plan and seeks to strengthen the UK’s capability in semiconductor design. Opportunity at a Glance

- Provider: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

- Funding Type: Grant

- Total Fund: £6,000,000

- Maximum Award per Recipient: £6,000,000

- Eligible Applicants: UK research organisations eligible for EPSRC funding

- Eligible Countries: United Kingdom

- Opening Date: 7 October 2026, 9:00am UK time

- Closing Date: 2 December 2026, 4:00pm UK time

About the Opportunity

This program aims to establish a national center of excellence in semiconductor design through cohort-based doctoral training. It focuses on building capabilities in AI accelerators, hardware-software co-design, and energy-efficient systems. The award supports the UK Government AI Hardware Plan to ensure graduates are equipped with the skills needed for economic growth in the semiconductor sector. Funding and Benefits

- Award Coverage: 100% of eligible costs, excluding estates and indirect costs.

- Project Duration: Initially supports two cohorts of students with potential future funding.

- Industry Engagement: Encourages non-UKRI cash contributions and industry collaborations for studentship costs.

Who Is Eligible? - Eligible Applicants: UK higher education institutions, research council institutes, eligible independent research organisations, Catapult centres, and public sector research establishments.

- Consortium Requirements: Must include organizations with doctoral degree awarding powers.

- Project Roles: Can include research technical professionals, innovation and commercialisation professionals, and professional training managers.

Eligible Activities or Priority Areas

- Core Competencies: Chip design for AI applications, electronic design automation tools, and system-level performance enhancement.

- Exclusions: Proposals focused solely on foundational materials science or software-only AI algorithm development.

Why This Opportunity Matters This award supports the UK’s strategic goals in semiconductor technology, fostering industry-academia collaboration and ensuring the nation remains at the forefront of AI hardware development. How to Apply

- Verify Eligibility: Ensure your institution is eligible for EPSRC funding.

- Prepare Application: Align with national strategies and demonstrate interdisciplinary training plans.

- Submit Application: Through the UKRI Funding Service by 2 December 2026, 4:00pm UK time.

Application Tips or Common Mistakes

- Engage Collaborators: Ensure meaningful contributions from all consortium members.

- Industry Partnerships: Include diverse project partners and raise non-UKRI cash contributions to enhance the program’s sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions Can international researchers apply? International researchers cannot apply as project co-leads. They may participate as project partners. What is the funding limit per application? The maximum award available is £6,000,000 per recipient. What are the key focus areas for the program? Focus areas include chip design for AI, electronic design automation, and system-level performance. Who can be a project partner? Universities, businesses, public sector organisations, and third sector organisations can act as project partners. What is the deadline for application submission? Applications must be submitted by 2 December 2026, 4:00pm UK time. Next Steps Eligible organisations are encouraged to review the official guidelines and prepare their applications in alignment with the program’s objectives. For detailed application instructions, refer to the UKRI opportunity page.