The MRC and NERC equipment calls are expected to be capped at 1-2 applications. The fourth round of the MRC EQUIP, BBSRC ALERT24 and NERC strategic equipment calls are expected to open in September/October and have similar deadlines to previous years.

For more information on these funding opportunities please see the 2023 calls (when the new calls open we will circulate the updated links):

University Selection Process

An internal Bath Expression of Interest (EoI) will need to be completed by anyone planning to submit a full application to either of these funding calls. An internal panel will then select the final applications to be submitted to UKRI.

In the Bath EoI form, please indicate which funding scheme you want to apply to (MRC Equip or BBSRC ALERT24 or NERC strategic equipment).

If you are planning to submit an application to any of these funding calls please inform Dr Laura Wisby (l.wisby@bath.ac.uk) by 2 September and complete the online EoI form by 4pm 6 September 2024.

Complete the online EoI form

Please note only applications that have gone through the Bath internal process and have been selected by the panel will be able to submit a full application to the funder.

Bath Selection Criteria

  • scientific quality and impact
  • why is this needed here at Bath and now?
  • is there a strong element of equipment sharing and benefit to wide user base?
  • does the research fit within the MRC or BBSRC or NERC remit? (If the user base goes beyond MRC or BBSRC or NERC remit there should be a proportional University contribution to cover the non-MRC/BBSRC/NERC use)
  • how does the proposal fit with the university research landscape, strategy, and priorities?
  • management and support of equipment
  • is there a Research Technician Professional on the bid as a Co-I or PI or is there potential for there to be one?

Based on previous funder feedback please make sure you pay attention to the need for the equipment and the management and support questions in the EoI.

Selection process timetable

  • 2 September 2024: Potential applicants inform Dr Laura Wisby of their intent to submit (l.wisby@bath.ac.uk)
  • 6 September 2024: Potential applicants complete the online Expression of Interest (EoI)
  • 17 September 2024: Panel meeting to discuss applications and select those to be submitted to funder (feedback provided to all potential applications)
  • September/October 2024: Call expected to open
  • Ongoing September-December: Peer review and proposal development support (Organised by RIS) for selected applications
  • December-January: Submit full application to UKRI funder

We expect the UKRI deadlines for these equipment calls to be in December and/or January. There will be some proposal development support provided to selected applications. However, the writing and preparation of the full application will take a considerable amount of work from the Project Lead and Co-Leads. If you cannot commit to this timeframe for preparation and submission of the full grant application please do not submit an EoI this round and instead consider applying to a future round.