Opens: 12th February 2025

Deadline for applications: 9th April 2025, 16:00

Our C-PIC Innovation Fund, with funding from EPSRC, is here to support academic-led, commercially focused proposals for innovative silicon photonics solutions across all application areas.  

We want to fund a wide range of projects from people across career stages and pathways, including early career researchers and technicians.  

If you have an innovative proposal to make silicon photonics technology more available to improve everyday life, we want to hear from you.

Call summary

• Scope: academic-led projects to advance the adoption of silicon photonics or accelerate the commercial exploitation of silicon photonics.

   

• Total fund: Up to £500k in this call. 

• Project value: up to £100k fEC per project. C-PIC will fund 80% of the full economic cost, according to standard EPSRC costing.  

• Typical project duration: 6 – 12 months. 

• Notification: You will hear the outcome approximately one month after the closing date.   

• Project start date: Within 3 months of receipt of your award letter.   

• Closing date for applications: 9 April 2025, 16:00. 

Engage with us 

Webinar: We are hosting a webinar to introduce C-PIC and the support we offer, including the Innovation Fund on Thursday 27 February 2025. Find out more on our webinar page.

Email: If you have any questions about the C-PIC Innovation Fund, please contact Ruth Churchill, Impact Manager, r.churchill@soton.ac.uk  

FAQs 

Who can apply? 

You can apply if you are employed at a UK research organisation in any of the 12 UKRI role types, with a contract that lasts beyond the end of your proposed project. Early career awardees will be offered mentoring and training opportunities, whenever possible. 

What type of projects will you fund? 

Your project should be commercially focussed and aim to accelerate the use of silicon photonics in real world applications. This may include disruptive and novel technologies, or large market opportunities. We give examples of possible Technology Readiness and Market Readiness Interventions in the call. 

Can industry participate? 

Yes, as project partners. If your project is a Technology Readiness Intervention, you’ll need at least one named industry partner. We are keen to see collaborations with start-ups, SMEs and large companies across a range of sectors. Industry project partners should have a UK presence and are expected to contribute to the project (cash/in-kind). 

Does my project have to be about PICs? 

Your project does not have to include Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), PIC technology or PIC fabrication directly, so long as you explain how it relates to our longer-term objective to translate silicon photonics technologies from research labs into industry.