# Curiosity Award

**Funder:** AHRC
**Budget:** Up to £100,000 (80% FEC)
**Duration:** Up to 5 years
**Consortium:** Optional — project co-leads and partnerships supported but solo researchers also welcomed
**Application:** Single stage
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/ahrc-responsive-mode-curiosity-award/
**Last updated:** 23 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Supports early-stage, ambitious and novel fundamental research in arts and humanities disciplines within AHRC's remit. Open to teams, networks, and solo researchers, including non-academic roles (archivists, curators, technicians, practitioners); project studentships not funded.

## Summary

The AHRC Curiosity Award funds early-stage, exploratory research in arts and humanities disciplines, offering up to £100,000 (80% FEC) over as long as five years. It is open to solo researchers, teams, and networks based in the UK, including non-academic roles such as archivists, curators, technicians, and practitioners. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a single-stage process.

## Who should apply

- Researchers proposing early-stage, exploratory fundamental research
- UK-based solo researchers, teams, or networks
- Arts and humanities disciplines within AHRC's remit
- Non-academic specialists such as archivists, curators, technicians, and practitioners
- Applicants not seeking to fund project studentships

## Key dates

- Rolling deadline with continuous call frequency
- Single-stage application process
- Project duration of up to 5 years

## Tips for applicants

- Frame the project around genuine novelty and curiosity-driven inquiry rather than a predefined outcome, this is the award's core selection criterion.
- Solo applications are explicitly welcomed, so don't manufacture a consortium if the research doesn't need one.
- If involving non-academic partners like archivists or curators, make their role in the research (not just support) explicit in the proposal.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the AHRC Curiosity Award pay?

Up to £100,000 at 80% full economic costing (FEC).

### How long can an AHRC Curiosity Award project run?

Projects can run for up to 5 years.

### Is a consortium required for the AHRC Curiosity Award?

No, consortiums are optional, solo researchers, teams, and networks are all eligible to apply.

### Is there a deadline for the AHRC Curiosity Award?

No, the call has a rolling deadline and runs continuously with a single-stage application process.

### Can non-academic staff apply for the AHRC Curiosity Award?

Yes, archivists, curators, technicians, and practitioners are explicitly eligible to apply.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/ahrc-curiosity-award-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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