UK Multidisciplinary Centre for Neuromorphic Computing

UK Multidisciplinary Centre for Neuromorphic Computing is sponsored by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

UK Multidisciplinary Centre for Neuromorphic Computing – UKRI Funding opportunity: UK Multidisciplinary Centre for Neuromorphic Computing Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 10 September 2024 9:00am UK time 5 November 2024 4:00pm UK time Last updated: 17 September 2024 - see all updates Apply for funding to establish a UK centre for neuromorphic computing.

This will be a focal point to engage relevant disciplines, further research and demonstrate the potential of the technology to deliver net zero solutions for emerging technologies and applications across the full stack (for example, AI, quantum computing). You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funding.

The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £5,600,000. We will fund £4,480,000 (80%) of the FEC. We will fund one centre under this funding opportunity.

The maximum duration is four years. Before applying for funding, check the Eligibility of your organisation . EPSRC standard eligibility rules apply.

For full details, visit EPSRC’s eligibility page . For full details, visit Eligibility as an individual . Who is not eligible to apply You may be named as project lead in no more than one application.

There is no limit to the number of application you can be named as project co-lead. The UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation Agreement does not apply to this funding opportunity. As such grants submitted to this funding opportunity cannot include a Norway-based international co-project lead.

We will not accept uninvited resubmissions of projects that have been submitted to UKRI or any other funder. Find out more about EPSRC’s resubmissions policy . Equality, diversity and inclusion We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants.

We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers. We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes: support for people with caring responsibilities alternative working patterns Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at UKRI .

The UK multidisciplinary centre for neuromorphic computing will identify and address fundamental research challenges in neuromorphic computing. We will fund one research centre to engage meaningfully across disciplines, internationally and with policy makers. The research centre will act as a focal point for the UK research community and build collaborations.

It will identify future challenges and support research to address these challenges. Neuromorphic computing is increasingly becoming a viable option for non von Neumann computing and as an option that satisfies the need to reduce the energy requirements for applications such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and cloud and distributed computing (via data centres).

Neuromorphic computing looks to imitate the human brain with its high density of neurons, low power consumption and most notably the parallel processing of the processor and memory of the machine. The ubiquitous nature of computing and its increasing energy consumption, especially with AI networks, means that to achieve net zero a paradigm shift is required.

This funding opportunity will fund one research centre to help address the fundamental challenges in neuromorphic computing to bring about real-life solutions.

The UK multidisciplinary centre for neuromorphic computing will bring together the various disciplines including but not limited to computer science, electrical engineering, algorithms, computational neuroscience, wet neuroscience, software engineering, material science and physics, together to engage and address research challenges in neuromorphic computing.

We expect the research centre to address the following objectives: Provide a focal point for neuromorphic computing research in the UK by: demonstrating the capabilities and potential of neuromorphic computing in real world scenarios and in different sectors, including use cases interfacing with technologies that could benefit from neuromorphic computing (such as AI, quantum computing) Seed a UK research and innovation programme in neuromorphic computing by: carrying out UK landscaping and road mapping to evaluate the current state and opportunities for the area, which will provide evidence of the benefits and potential of neuromorphic computing to inform stakeholders engaging with existing investments across UKRI, linking current and future investments to add value building a focused research and innovation programme across the full stack to address core research challenges in neuromorphic computing targeting the core research challenges that will advance the discipline and demonstrate its power ensuring the programme of research is outcome focused, with clear goals that can be delivered within the timeframe, moving the area forwards Draw in all stakeholders by: bringing together the research community, policy makers and industrial partners to address the research challenges engaging across and bringing together neuromorphic computing, including (but not limited to) the multidisciplinary academic community of computer science, software engineering, semiconductors and hardware and neuroscience working with existing investments in the landscape – create a unified sector voice and common language across the disciplines and across the stack to accelerate innovation as appropriate, building international relationships to further the identified research challenges in neuromorphic computing research and innovation in the UK The research centre is expected to consist of: a virtual or physical research centre based around a single research organisation or multi-institution with an identified lead research organisation an academic centre director with a proven track record of managing large investments and excellence within their discipline a broad and diverse leadership team representing the span of the research remit proposed in the centre.

It is expected this will be composed of diverse academics from different career stages with suitable track records and expertise appropriate advisory and governance structures, including as a minimum, an independent advisory board which should meet at least annually and include key academic, industrial, relevant policy officials and other stakeholders.

A UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) project officer will sit on this advisory board, who will be appointed by UKRI. Provision of the precise and full membership of such a board will not be required at point of application The research centre should serve as an open platform, as part of a broader programme accessible to researchers participating in neuromorphic computing research.

It will bring together the communities to form a critical mass to address the fundamental challenges found therein. Research centre first year activities In the first year, the research centre will carry out the following activities: Review the current state of neuromorphic computing A review will be compiled describing the current state of neuromorphic computing research in the UK, both academic and industrial.

It should detail the academic capacity and capability of neuromorphic computing in the UK. The review should detail the current investments in the area operating the UK funded by UKRI, Horizon2020/Horizon Europe, DSTL, ARIA. It should include details of where various aspects of neuromorphic computing currently sit in terms of their TRL.

It should also describe the opportunities neuromorphic computing has for the UK and any economic implications this could have on the nation. A roadmap will be developed describing the challenges the research centre should pursue for the following three years. This should produce appropriate reports for the research community and funder, using appropriate activities to identify challenges and future pursuits for the UK.

The roadmap should identify ‘real world’ challenges that can push the area forward and be realised in the following three-years of the grant. Pursue international benchmarking The centre will pursue international benchmarking of the UK’s neuromorphic computing research landscape. This will involve studying national policies, funding, strategies and approaches that impact R&D centres internationally.

These activities should also include a consideration of the UK’s position internationally. Then benchmarking the UK against these producing case studies to inform future activities and potentially feed into the roadmap. Assess capital infrastructure The centre will start to assess the capital infrastructure currently available and draft the requirements needed for the future of neuromorphic computing.

The future infrastructure needs will not be delivered by the research centre but may feed into other infrastructure bids to UKRI or DSIT for example. As part of the first year activities, the research centre should also: take into account strategic documents published by the potentially relevant organisations meaning the government, learned societies, funded grants, EPSRC & eFutures Neuromorphic Report (efutures2. com) (PDF, 11MB) .

agree with UKRI a governance structure, monitoring and evaluation framework, and terms of reference for the centre begin delivering the centre’s research programme The centre should carry out a two stage fundamental research programme as follows: firstly, through a research programme as defined by the project lead in this application to address neuromorphic computing research challenges, as currently understood.

This programme can run for the full duration of the centre secondly, following the completion of the roadmap – where further research challenges have been identified, the flexible funding will be used to tackle the prioritised challenges.

The research centre should use the flexible funds to support a multidisciplinary approach to address the fundamental research challenges over the subsequent three years of the grant Activities for the duration of the research centre Across the duration of the grant, the research centre should also: be able to link with other investments funded in this area, including the current eFutures: Electronic systems technology for emerging challenges and Neumat Network: Neuromorphic Materials and Devices for Future AI Hardware (a network grant funded via standard mode) work with any investments in neuromorphic computing initiated after this research centre has started engage with a wide range of existing strategic investments, those who developed unsuccessful bids to this funding opportunity, and the broader research community, including to establish where this new investment can add the most value to the existing ecosystem build effective relationships with a range of relevant policymakers, and draw on these for the design of the programme of activities We are not providing studentship funding through this funding opportunity.

Consortia should consider how best to leverage DTP allocations. The centre funding will be subject to the following additional conditions, in addition to our standard terms. There may be additional conditions included.

Notwithstanding standard grant condition RGC6 concerning the transfer of funds between headings, the sum £2,500,00 awarded under the heading of ‘flexible funds’ can be used to fund both directly incurred and directly allocated costs. These funds must be reported on the final expenditure statement (FES) as directly incurred and a breakdown of the expenditure must be submitted along with the FES.

Normal conditions apply to all other funds awarded on this grant. Community network expectations This grant is awarded on the understanding that, the project will undertake a wider networking role with the research and user community outside its membership. This may involve coordination of activities such as meetings, workshops or seminars on behalf of UKRI.

A dedicated website must be set up within six months of the start of the grant and regularly maintained to provide a resource for engagement with the wider community. This grant is expected to further develop engagement with neuromorphic computing including its academic and user (for example policy, business) membership throughout the period of funding in order to maximise its impact on a wide range of disciplines.

As part of the grant, the research centre must identify ambitious ‘real-world’ challenges, which require a multidisciplinary approach and will form an agenda for future research in the area. Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) As an assembly point for the neuromorphic computing research community, the research centre will be expected to champion and embed EDI in all their activities throughout the lifetime of the investment.

If funded, this will include identifying the specific EDI challenges and barriers in their own environment and developing a strategy to address these, with reference to EPSRC’s published expectations for EDI. The research centre should ensure that they request appropriate resources to champion and embed their EDI approach effectively. The duration of this award is four years.

Projects may start from 1 April 2025. The FEC of your project can be up to £5,600,000. EPSRC will fund 80% of the FEC.

Project lead and co-leads’ salaries These should be requested under the directly allocated cost heading. The project lead and co-leads can request funds to cover their salary costs for the time spent on setting up and leading the network. Travel and subsistence enabling members of the research centre to meet to exchange ideas and expertise.

This may include: visits by or to experts internationally Where possible, collaborators should meet their own travel costs. Professional enabling staff A sufficient level of administrative support should be requested to ensure the coordination, management, and smooth running of the research centre.

You are expected to employ a dedicated grant manager as a core member of the team, with relevant experience and costed at the appropriate grade. Other non-academic staff can include engagement experts, communications, and impact staff. Reasonable costs for monitoring and dissemination of the research centre’s output can also be included.

Organisation of activities Funding can be requested for: activities to carry out review, roadmapping and international benchmarking for the area activities to identify and disseminate key research challenges in the area activities to generate new research challenges in the area activities to connect users, industry and other stakeholders with the research base communication costs such as website and marketing costs to support networking, events and communication in association with Neumat Network: Neuromorphic Materials and Devices for Future AI Hardware other projects as appropriate for the research centre flexible funds as described You are encouraged to think creatively about the range of activities that could support the delivery of the research centre goals.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your proposed activities with us ahead of submission.

Funds can be requested to deliver the research centre’s research programme, which may include the following: equipment (up to £400,000 per item) other items required to carry out the project Quotes for equipment do not need to be included in your application, but please retain quotes for equipment costing more than £138,000 as we may ask for these at post-panel stage before releasing funds.

Up to £2,500,000 (80%) can be requested as part of the total resources requested by the project. Flexible funding should be allocated to address the challenges of neuromorphic computing identified by the research centre in the first year by the roadmap and within the remit of UKRI. The expectation is that these grants will address fundamental research challenges that have real world application.

The grants funded via this fund must deliver tangible results within the duration of the research centre. These grants could lead to applications for further support from appropriate funding bodies. Flexible funds can be allocated to researchers at any organisation currently eligible for UKRI funding, including staff involved in this application.

In your application please outline how you will ensure the processes for the allocation of the flexible funds are fair and transparent within the framework of the UKRI principles of assessment and decision making .

Please note that any grants commissioned by the research centre using the flexible funds will be restricted to UKRI current research organisation eligibility but will not be bound by standard EPSRC investigator eligibility criterion. It is the project lead’s responsibility to ensure ongoing governance to ensure correct usage and accountability of the funds (including carrying out trusted research checks where appropriate).

We would expect some examples of the types of grants in the application, but the research challenges are expected to be defined by the research centre and should be co-created and collaborative in nature. The funded grants should be expected to engage with the wider programme of activity and report their progress and outcomes to the research centre.

These outcomes should be reported as part of the wider research centre programme reporting. Flexible funds may not be used for studentships or the kind of student costs that would be funded through a training grant. These funds must be reported on the final expenditure statement (FES) as awarded on the offer letter and a breakdown of the expenditure must be submitted along with the FES.

The cost of these grants should be reported as Directly Incurred by the centre but can be used as Directly Allocated and Directly Incurred by the grant recipient. Flexible funds are funded at 80% FEC by UKRI.

We are not looking to fund a neuromorphic computing research centre that addresses solely: artificial intelligence hardware a single type of non von Neumann architecture or unconventional computing Although the research centre is expected to work in a multidisciplinary manner, the research being delivered should primarily sit in the engineering and physical sciences remit.

The research centre should not replicate activities already covered by other investments such as eFutures, Neumat Network: Neuromorphic Materials and Devices for Future AI Hardware, Human Brain Project. The research centre is encouraged to interact and collaborate with industry, however, it should be noted this is a research centre grant with a research programme addressing fundamental research.

Therefore, the research centre should not pursue commercialisation or research beyond TRL 4. Supporting skills and talent We encourage you to follow the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and the Technician Commitment .

Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) UKRI is committed in ensuring that effective international collaboration in research and innovation takes place with integrity and within strong ethical frameworks.

Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) is a UKRI work programme designed to help protect all those working in our thriving and collaborative international sector by enabling partnerships to be as open as possible, and as secure as necessary. Our TR&I Principles set out UKRI’s expectations of organisations funded by UKRI in relation to due diligence for international collaboration.

As such, applicants for UKRI funding may be asked to demonstrate how their proposed projects will comply with our approach and expectation towards TR&I, identifying potential risks and the relevant controls you will put in place to help proportionately reduce these risks. Further guidance and information about TR&I , including where you can find additional support.

We are running this funding opportunity on the new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service so please ensure that your organisation is registered. You cannot apply on the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system. The project lead is responsible for completing the application process on the Funding Service, but we expect all team members and project partners to contribute to the application.

Only the lead research organisation can submit an application to UKRI. Select ‘Start application’ near the beginning of this Funding finder page. Confirm you are the project lead.

Please allow at least 10 working days for your organisation to be added to the Funding Service. We strongly suggest that if you are asking UKRI to add your organisation to the Funding Service to enable you to apply to this Opportunity, you also create an organisation Administration Account. This will be needed to allow the acceptance and management of any grant that might be offered to you.

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All questions and assessment criteria are listed in the How to apply section on this Funding finder page. Allow enough time to check your application in ‘read-only’ view before sending to your research office. Send the completed application to your research office for checking.

They will return it to you if it needs editing. Your research office will submit the completed and checked application to UKRI. Where indicated, you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant.

You should: use images sparingly and only to convey important information that cannot easily be put into words insert each new image onto a new line provide a descriptive legend for each image immediately underneath it (this counts towards your word limit) ensure files are smaller than 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format Watch our research office webinars about the new Funding Service For more guidance on the Funding Service, see: how applicants use the Funding Service how research offices use the Funding Service how reviewers use the Funding Service Applications should be self-contained, and hyperlinks should only be used to provide links directly to reference information.

To ensure the information’s integrity is maintained, where possible, persistent identifiers such as digital object identifiers should be used. Assessors are not required to access links to carry out assessment or recommend a funding decision. You should use your discretion when including references and prioritise those most pertinent to the application.

References should be included in the appropriate question section of the application and be easily identifiable by the assessors for example (Smith, Research Paper, 2019) You must not include links to web resources to extend your application. EPSRC must receive your application by 4. 00pm UK time on 5 November 2024.

You will not be able to apply after this time. Make sure you are aware of and follow any internal institutional deadlines. Following the submission of your application to the funding opportunity, your application cannot be changed, and applications will not be returned for amendment.

If your application does not follow the guidance, it may be rejected. If an application is withdrawn prior to peer review or office rejected due to substantive errors in the application, it cannot be resubmitted to the funding opportunity. EPSRC, as part of UKRI, will need to collect some personal information to manage your Funding Service account and the registration of your funding applications.

We will handle personal data in line with UK data protection legislation and manage it securely. For more information, including how to exercise your rights, read our privacy notice . If your application is successful, we will publish some personal information on the UKRI Gateway to Research .

In plain English, provide a summary we can use to identify the most suitable experts to assess your application. We usually make this summary publicly available on external-facing websites, therefore do not include any confidential or sensitive information.

Make it suitable for a variety of readers, for example: the wider research community Guidance for writing a summary Clearly describe your proposed work in terms of: the challenge the project addresses potential applications and benefits List the key members of your team and assign them roles from the following: project co-lead (UK) (PcL) professional enabling staff research and innovation associate Only list one individual as project lead.

Find out more about UKRI’s core team roles in funding applications . Create a document that includes your responses to all criteria. The document should not be more than 9 sides of A4, single spaced in paper in 11-point Arial (or equivalent sans serif font) with margins of at least 2cm.

You may include images, graphs, tables. References may be included but should not exceed one page of your document. You can have an additional page for a diagrammatic workplan.

For the file name, use the unique Funding Service number the system gives you when you create an application, followed by the words ‘Vision and Approach’. Save this document as a single PDF file, no bigger than 8MB. Unless specifically requested, do not include any sensitive data within the attachment.

If the attachment does not meet these requirements, the application will be rejected. The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply. What are you hoping to achieve with and how will you deliver your proposed work?

What the assessors are looking for in your response For the Vision, explain how your proposed work: is of excellent quality and importance within or beyond the field(s) or area(s) has the potential to advance current understanding, generates new knowledge, thinking or discovery within or beyond the field or area is timely given current trends, context and needs impacts world-leading research, society, the economy or the environment will embed EDI considerations into, and how these will guide your aims, as well as other activities such as stakeholder engagement, events and networking.

Within the Vision section we also expect you to: identify the potential direct or indirect benefits and who the beneficiaries might be For the Approach, explain how you have designed your work so that it: is effective and appropriate to achieve your objectives is feasible, and comprehensively identifies any risks to delivery and how they will be managed if applicable, uses a clearly written and transparent methodology if applicable, summarises the previous work and describes how this will be built upon and progressed will maximise translation of outputs into outcomes and impacts describes how your, and if applicable your team’s, research environment (in terms of the place, and relevance to the project) will contribute to the success of the work will build EDI considerations into the formation, operation and governance of the hub, including how these will be operationalised Within the Approach section we also expect you to: demonstrate access to the appropriate services, facilities, infrastructure, or equipment to deliver the proposed work provide a project plan including milestones and timelines in the form of a Gantt chart or similar (additional one-page A4) References may be included within this section.

How will you manage the award to successfully deliver its objectives?

What the assessors are looking for in your response Explain how the proposed award will be managed, demonstrating that it: will be effectively governed, including details about advisory structures will be effectively and inclusively managed, demonstrated by a clear management plan has clear leadership team roles and responsibilities will manage and encourage partnerships with non-HEI organisations across government, industry and civil society has plans for monitoring your progress as well as self-evaluation throughout the lifetime of your award demonstrate that all relevant disciplines are represented in the governance Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant.

You must: use images sparingly and only to convey important information that cannot easily be put into words insert each new image onto a new line provide a descriptive legend for each image immediately underneath it (this counts towards your word limit) Files must be: in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format Applicant and team capability to deliver Why are you the right individual or team to successfully deliver the proposed work?

What the assessors are looking for in your response Evidence of how you, and if relevant your team, have: the relevant experience (appropriate to career stage) to deliver the proposed work the right balance of skills and expertise to cover the proposed work the appropriate leadership and management skills to deliver the work and your approach to develop others contributed to developing a positive research environment and wider community The word count for this section is 1,650 words, 1,150 words to be used for R4RI modules and, if necessary, a further 500 words for Additions.

Use the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format to showcase the range of relevant skills you, and if relevant your team (project and project co-leads, researchers, technicians, specialists, partners and so on) have and how this will help to deliver the proposed work. You can include individuals’ specific achievements but only choose past contributions that best evidence their ability to deliver this work.

Complete this section using the R4RI module headings listed below. Use each heading once and include a response for the whole team, see the UKRI guidance on R4RI .

You should consider how to balance your answer, and emphasise where appropriate the key skills each team member brings: contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies, or knowledge the development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships contributions to the wider research and innovation community contributions to broader research or innovation users and audiences and towards wider societal benefit Additions: Provide any further details relevant to your application.

This section is optional and can be up to 500 words. You should not use it to describe additional skills, experiences or outputs, but you can use it to describe any factors that provide context for the rest of your R4RI (for example, details of career breaks if you wish to disclose them). You should complete this section as a narrative.

Do not format it like a CV. For full details, see Eligibility as an individual . Ethics and responsible research and innovation (RRI) What are the ethical and RRI implications and issues relating to the proposed work?

If you do not think that the proposed work raises any ethical or RRI issues, explain why.

What the assessors are looking for in your response Demonstrate that you have identified and evaluated: the relevant ethical or responsible research and innovation considerations how you will manage these considerations If you are collecting or using data you should identify: any legal and ethical considerations of collecting, releasing and storing the data (including consent, confidentiality, anonymisation, security and other ethical considerations and, in particular, strategies to not preclude further reuse of data) formal information standards that your proposed work will comply with Additional sub-questions (to be answered only if appropriate) relating to research involving: conducting research with animals overseas research involving human tissues or biological samples genetically modified organisms Resources and cost justification What will you need to deliver your proposed work and how much will it cost?

What the assessors are looking for in your response Justify the application’s more costly resources, in particular: significant travel for field work or collaboration (but not regular travel between collaborating organisations or to conferences) any equipment that will cost more than £10,000 any consumables beyond typical requirements, or that are required in exceptional quantities all facilities and infrastructure costs all resources that have been costed as ‘Exceptions’ International collaboration costs Assessors are not looking for detailed costs or a line-by-line breakdown of all project resources.

Overall, they want you to demonstrate how the resources you anticipate needing for your proposed work: are comprehensive, appropriate, and justified represent the optimal use of resources to achieve the intended outcomes maximise