Research Grant Opportunity: Driving Net Zero through Data-Driven Innovation
Energy Systems Catapult has launched a competitive grant programme to fund targeted research initiatives. We are looking for researchers and academic partners to leverage data-driven insights to solve complex challenges within the UK’s energy and transport systems.
As part of this research call, successful applicants will receive:
Grant funding of up to £40,000 per project.
Access to the "SENSE" data platform and unique datasets.
Collaboration opportunities with Energy Systems Catapult’s research and modelling teams.
Pathway to impact through integration with high-profile industry and government projects.
Networking with a cohort of researchers focused on Net Zero transitions.
Through this Grant programme, we are supporting high-quality research that aligns with the UK’s strategic priorities. Successful applicants will receive funding to support research over a maximum 12-month period, helping to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world energy system application.
The Challenge
The transition to Net Zero requires more than just new hardware; it requires a sophisticated understanding of how data, infrastructure, and human behaviour intersect. From ensuring equitable access to EV charging to optimising building energy management, there are significant data "blind spots" that hinder our progress.
This call aims to fill those gaps. By providing researchers with funding and access to heterogeneous data sources—including our state of the art "SENSE" platform—we aim to support the development of the next generation of BMS models, energy system forecasts, and inclusive decarbonisation strategies.
Who should apply and why?
We have identified several immediate research priorities. If you are a UKRI-eligible researcher operating in any of the suggested areas set out below, we would like to hear from you.
EV Charging: Exploring public deployment to support a just and inclusive transition.
Data & Inequity: Identifying datasets that reveal inequitable access risks in transport and home charging.
Building Energy: Analysing energy-behaviour and occupancy links in non-domestic buildings and multi-building sites, for example hospitals and universities.
Building Management Systems & Occupant Behaviour: Assessing gaps between system operation and real-time occupant comfort.
Forecasting: Utilising mobile location and weather data for energy system demand forecasting.
Knowledge Graphs: Integration of heterogeneous data.
Key Requirements
Funding: Bids are welcomed up to a maximum of £40k.
Duration: Projects must be completed within 12 months of project start.
Data Contribution: Applicants must use at least one dataset from the "SENSE" platform and are expected to contribute any newly processed datasets back to the platform to benefit the wider research community.
Eligibility: The grant is open to any UK-based and UKRI eligible research organisation, but we also welcome collaborative bids. Note that while an individual cannot hold two concurrent grants, multiple researchers from the same institutions are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will be required to enter into a grant agreement which can be found here.
Deadline for this application is Monday 1st June 2026 by 11.59pm
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