Call 1

Spring 2025

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.
– Eligibility criteria: 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.
– Industry partners: Industry can participate as project partners. Industry partners are required for Technology Readiness Interventions. Industry project partners should have a UK presence and are expected to contribute to the project (cash/in-kind).
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.

How can I apply?

You should submit your application using our electronic application form by 16:00 on 9 April 2025. You can save your application in the form and return to it later.

HINT: Read the call carefully before starting your application as it explains what we are looking for in each of the questions and how they will be assessed.

Download the full
call document

Start your
application

Download our Template Innovation Fund award letter

Engage with us

Webinar: We are hosting a webinar to introduce C-PIC and the support we offer, including the Innovation Fund on Thursday 13th March 2025. Find out more on our webinar.

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