PoLNET4 

We are delighted to announce that the UK Physics of Life Network hosted at the University of York has secured £605,000 in funding from EPSRC to support a fourth phase of the network - PoLNET4 (October 2025 - October 2028).

Building on the strong foundations of PoLNET1-3, this new phase will continue to catalyse disruptive innovation at the interface of physics and the life sciences.

Key Objectives of PoLNET4

- Advance cross-disciplinary research at the physical–life sciences interface
- Strengthen support for Early Career Researchers through summer schools, secondments, and a UK-wide mentoring programme
- Promote inclusivity, diversity, and international collaboration
- Engage the wider scientific community via workshops, sandpits, conferences, and public outreach initiatives

Planned Activities (2025-2028)

- 18 Physics of Life Workshops
- 6 Sandpits
- 2 ECR Schools (Winter & Summer)
- 2 Town Meetings
- Creation of a UK-wide ECR Network
- ECR Secondments and Mentoring Scheme
- Launch of Physics of Life Ambassadors
- Strategic pump-priming for early-stage projects
- Student Summer Bursaries (2026 - 2028)

We are excited to embark on this next phase of transformative research and invite researchers, innovators, and collaborators from across disciplines to get involved.

Workshops & Sandpits, 

We are now open for workshop and sandpit  applications.

Early Career Support

View full details here 

Summer Bursaries

As of 2026, PoLNET4 will be able to offer its standard Summer bursary scheme to Undergraduate and Postgraduate (MSc) students.