Funding to connect with other researchers to scope, seed and grow emerging research fields and new areas of inquiry.
The funder is seeking applications that bring researchers together, forming new collaborations across disciplines, or bringing together different fields of research to develop high-risk, exploratory or unconventional research ideas and approaches – for example, by applying ideas or methodologies from one field to another to stimulate new insights and challenge existing assumptions.
Applications are encouraged from:
- diverse groups of researchers
- those who have not previously held ESRC grants
- individuals at any career stage, subject to ESRC eligibility
Please note what cannot be funded through this opportunity:
- duplication of collaborations and research that already exist
- follow-on activities from a previous and existing collaborative project, including the continuation, extension or repackaging of existing collaborations unless a truly novel or exploratory idea has arisen
- collaborations that focus on incremental development, rather than testing exploratory or novel ideas
- literature surveys
- research activities that could be funded through other more appropriate funding opportunities such as ESRC’s Research Grants and New Investigator Grants
- collaborations that do not have a project lead from social science disciplines or a primary focus on the social sciences
ELIGIBILITY
Applications must have a project lead from the social science disciplines within ESRC’s remit, and the primary focus of the proposed activities should be on the social sciences. However, collaborations involving disciplines outside of the social sciences are encouraged where it could lead to development of novel approaches.
VALUE AND DURATION
The FEC of your project can be between £50,000 and £150,000.
Awards can be held for up to six months.
Funded activities may include but are not limited to:
- networking
- seminars and workshops
- focused events or conferences
- knowledge exchange activities
- scoping and initial pilot studies
- initial data collection
KEY DATES
Deadline: 10 June 2026
Expected project start date: 1 October 2026
Latest end date: 1 October 2027
Information currently available can be found on the announcement webpage and in the below document.