The UK Microsystems Network is inviting applications to its Industry and Academic Mobility Fund. The scheme places researchers directly inside companies working in micro-systems, or companies that benefit from microsystem components in their products.
What the fund supports
The fund covers short secondments to industry. A secondment provides researchers with hands-on exposure to commercial priorities, manufacturing constraints, and product timescales that differ from typical academic research, in practice. This experience helps researchers translate theory into practical skills and appreciation of industry workflows.
Additionally, for early career researchers, it can open a route into an industry career. Such moves broaden professional networks and may lead to internships, collaborations, or future roles. The program encourages careful planning to align secondments with research goals and timelines.
A secondment can:
- lay the foundation for a future collaboration shaped by real industrial need
- give access to industrial skills, equipment and processes not available on campus
- give early career researchers direct industry experience to support their next career step
Who can apply
This call is open to any UK academic, industrial representative, postdoctoral researcher or research-technology professional. PhD students are not eligible for funding under this particular scheme.
Applicants must also meet EPSRC’s standard eligibility rules for holding UKRI-funded research activity. In practice, this means:
- academic, postdoctoral and research-technology professional applicants must be based at a UK research organization eligible for EPSRC funding (check your organization’s status on UKRI’s eligibility pages)
- industrial representatives apply through their host company, which must be UK-based and active in micro-systems or a heavy user of microsystem components
- all applicants must be resident in the UK for the duration of the secondment
Supporting equality, diversity and inclusion
The Network reserves places in every call for women and other underrepresented groups in micro-systems research. Applicants from these groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
How applications are assessed
Applications are peer-reviewed by the Network’s Steering Committee. Reviewers look at the strength of the proposed secondment, its fit with the applicant’s research or career aims, and the host company’s engagement with the Network’s objectives.
Costs covered
The fund covers travel and accommodation for the secondment, plus costs to cover caring responsibilities while away. Subsistence can also be covered where evidenced and claimed in line with the University of Birmingham’s expenses policy for non-university staff.
How to apply
This is a rolling call: applications are welcome at any time. Contact the Network at [email protected] to apply or to ask about eligibility.
