The Henry Royce Institute (Royce), the UK’s National Institute for advanced materials research and innovation, is today (24 June 2025) unveiling a funding pre-announcement for collaborative metamaterials sprint projects.
The announcement builds on substantial recent investment from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) into fundamental research and community development for metamaterials, including the recently announced £19.6 million MetaHUB, based at the University of Exeter, and the UKRI UK Metamaterials Network.
The forthcoming funding call from Royce will enable universities and research and technology organisations (RTOs) to collaborate with industry partners in order to accelerate the translation of metamaterials research. Total costs for eligible projects will span between £50,000 to £130,000 and focus on accelerating the translation of technologies to market or application.
SCOPE & DEFINITION: WHAT ARE METAMATERIALS?
For the purposes of this call, applications must meet the definition of a metamaterial as developed by the UKRI UK Metamaterials Network:
A metamaterial is a 3D structure with a response or function due to the collective effect of meta-atom elements that is not possible to achieve conventionally with any individual constituent material. A metasurface is a 2D version of a metamaterial where the structural elements are confined to a 2D plane. The response/function of a metamaterial results from the ensemble effects of designed and engineered meta-atom elements.
The call seeks to fund projects that demonstrate how material enabled structures using this definition can deliver against key national priorities, including those laid out in the National Materials Innovation Strategy and the UK Government’s Plan for Change, specifically its five national missions.
Applications aligning with the five critical technologies identified in the UK Science and Technology framework are particularly encouraged.
INDUSTRIAL COLLABORATION TO DRIVE INNOVATION
The grants will be awarded through a special extension for Round 5 of Royce’s Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP), which offers funding to address key national materials challenges and facilitate collaboration between businesses and universities/research and technology organisations. The metamaterials competition will feature a standalone timeline and dedicated guidance which will be published on the Royce website shortly.
Applications to the Royce Industrial Collaboration Programme for Metamaterials call must include an industrial partner who will be required to clearly articulate how the proposed work could significantly shorten the path to market or application for a metamaterial-based technology. Royce especially welcomes applications from early-stage companies. Please note: projects focused on fundamental research are not eligible for this call.
Funding for industry will consider subsidy control used in previous ICP calls from Royce.
NEXT STEPS & HOW TO PREPARE
There will be a requirement for applicants to submit a brief expression of interest shortly after the launch of the funding call in early summer 2025 as part of a two-stage progress for selection. Eligible proposals will then be invited to continue to a full application in the early autumn.
Full details including scope, eligibility criteria and timelines will be published shortly. Royce will also host a webinar to introduce the programme in more detail.
To receive notifications about the call, please sign up here.
Disclaimer
This is a pre-announcement. Final details may be subject to change. The funding opportunity will open in summer 2025. Full information will be made available on the Royce website at launch.
Editors notes
- UKRI investment into fundamental research and community development for metamaterials includes the UK Metamaterials Network; the Next Generation Metamaterials award (META4D); Neural-driven, Active and Reconfigurable Mechanical Metamaterials award; the Midlands mm-WaveLab; Topological Matter 2.0; LIONESS – Light-controlled nanomagnetic and spintronic applications via magneto-thermoplastics; Meta-material Adhesives for Improved Performance and Functionalsation of Bondlines; and the MetaHub
- The Royce Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) regularly provides funding for research, development and innovation sprint projects to address varied national materials challenges. The programme matches companies with UK experts in materials science and cutting-edge facilities to accelerate the transfer of new technologies.
