Researchers in Residence scheme
The Innovation Launchpad Network+, Innovate UK, EPSRC and the Innovate UK Catapult Network invite proposals for our Researcher in Residence (RiR) scheme which support the UK’s strategic goals, deliver impact across the UK economy and enable UK businesses to thrive in global markets.
The RiR scheme promotes academic engagement and is designed to enable researchers to work with the Catapults, undertaking a project or activity in an area of strategic importance.
There will be tranches of project calls on a cadence of approximately 6 months. Application to the scheme is a two-step process. Potential applicants must register their Expression of Interest before invitation to fill out a full application form.
*Tranche 3 of the RiR scheme has now closed.*
Successful applicants will be awarded up to £50k to cover your university salary costs, travel and accommodation during the placement, and consumables used at the host Catapult. The current funding for the Innovation Launchpad expires in April 2026 so applicants need to make sure to have claimed all of their budget and finished their project by then.
Applicants are expected to hold a PhD (or demonstrate experience and knowledge to a similar degree) and be employed in full or part by a UK university for the duration of the scheme. As a minimum, the proposal should align with the EPSRC‘s remit and one of the thematic areas of the Network+
- Net Zero
- Healthcare & Wellbeing
- Resilience
Applicants should also have a strong awareness of the wider context of their research and how they will deliver impact through their research. Please visit our FAQs page for further information.
*Due to the sensitive nature of some work being undertaken at the Catapults, in a small number of cases there may be additional eligibility restrictions dependent on an applicant’s nationality and/or birthplace to comply with specific national security requirements. An early discussion between the applicant and chosen Catapult is recommended, to ascertain if additional eligibility restrictions might be applicable. Where that is the case, the applicant has the choice of disengaging from the RiR application process or recognising and agreeing to provide appropriate evidence of compliance.*