Software is pervasive in modern research, used in every discipline and underpins modelling and simulation; data management, analysis and visualisation; and experiment and laboratory control. Yet it can be difficult, even for widely used software, to find resources for maintenance, refactoring and community development, because the focus of much research funding is on novelty.
The Institute for Research Software runs the Research Software Maintenance Fund, supported by the UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure programme, offering £5.8 million to support and sustain key research software, ensuring it remains reliable and accessible. This initiative not only funds vital pieces of the research ecosystem but helps us understand how we can effectively provide the support that research software needs to reduce technical debt and grow engagement.
Funding from the Research Software Maintenance Fund can be used to support and maintain existing research software or sustain a team responsible for multiple software tools. However, it is not intended for developing entirely new software.
Both Round 1 and Round 2 have now closed and successful projects have been announced.
Sign up to our mailing list to receive updates.
For specific questions related to the Research Software Maintenance Fund please contact grants@software.ac.uk
ROUND 1
The submission period for the first round of the RSMF was from April to September 2025. 13 projects were awarded funding as part of Round 1.
Round 1 page
ROUND 2
The submission period for the first round of the RSMF was from January to May 2026. 19 projects were awarded funding as part of Round 2.
Round 2 page
