Funding to support research that exploits existing data resources for social and economic research, created by ESRC or other agencies.
Applicants have considerable flexibility to focus on any subject area or topic providing that it falls within ESRC’s remit.
Ambitious and novel research proposals addressing new concepts and techniques are encouraged, as are those with the potential for significant scientific or societal and economic impact. Fresh ideas from new researchers are also encouraged, and proposals are welcomed from early career researchers.
Highlight notice
There is currently a highlight notice in operation for this funding opportunity, which means in addition to activity from any disciplines and on any topics in ESRC’s remit, applications in the area of Artificial Intelligence for social science are particularly welcome (see guidance document below for particulars).
The purpose of the highlight notice is purely to stimulate applications in a particular area. Applications submitted under the highlight notice will be assessed in the same way as (and alongside) other applications submitted to this funding opportunity using the standard responsive mode assessment criteria. There is no additional or ring-fenced funding for highlight notice applications, and applicants are not required to identify their application as being in the area of the highlight notice.
ELIGIBILITY
The project lead for this funding opportunity can be based at any organisation eligible for ESRC funding throughout the duration of the grant.
You can be at any stage of your academic career but the project team must have a level of skills, knowledge and experience that is appropriate to the proposed project.
Partnerships with non-academic stakeholders are encouraged to ensure generation of high-impact, policy- and practitioner-relevant research.
Proposals can draw from the wider sciences, as long as the social sciences are more than 50% of the research focus and effort.
VALUE AND DURATION
The FEC of your project can be up to £300,000.
The duration of this award is up to two years.
Funding can support:
- research projects that use qualitative or quantitative data from at least one existing UK or international data resource
- methodological development
- researchers at different career stages
The following will not be funded:
- primary data collection
- unspecified research work
- research that will have been carried out before the grant start date
- writing up previous research
- literature surveys
- conference attendance, not related to a project
- travel for general study
- expeditions
- requests to hold conferences, workshops or seminars where these constitute the primary project component
- preparation of books and publications
- preparation and production of materials such as curriculum materials and software development where these constitute the primary project component
KEY DATES
Deadline: open – no closing date
More information including details of the highlight notice and ESRC datasets can be found in the guidance document below and on the opportunity webpage.
Also included below is a copy of the ESRC funding guide for general information on eligibility and costs.