# Responsive Mode UKRI-NSF/SBE Lead Agency Opportunity

**Funder:** AHRC
**Budget:** £300,000–£1.5 million (FEC); AHRC funds 80% of FEC
**Duration:** 4 years
**Consortium:** Required — project lead plus at least one project co-lead, collaborative UK–US research team including US-based project co-lead(s) under NSF-SBE
**Application:** Mandatory Expression of Interest (EOI) followed by invited full application
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/ahrc-responsive-mode-ukri-nsf-sbe-lead-agency/
**Last updated:** 23 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Joint AHRC–NSF/SBE lead agency scheme for collaborative arts and humanities research involving US-based co-leads eligible under NSF-SBE criteria; requires mandatory EOI approval before full application via UKRI Funding Service or NSF Fastlane/Grants.gov/Research.gov.

## Summary

This joint AHRC-NSF/SBE Lead Agency scheme funds collaborative arts and humanities research between UK and US teams, offering £300,000 to £1.5 million at full economic cost (AHRC covers 80%) over projects lasting up to 4 years. It suits research leads who have already identified a US-based co-lead eligible under NSF-SBE criteria, since the consortium requirement is central to the call. Unlike most AHRC calls, this one has no fixed deadline, applications are accepted continuously, but only after a mandatory Expression of Interest is approved.

## Who should apply

- Research leads at UK institutions with an established or identified US-based co-lead
- Teams proposing collaborative arts and humanities projects meeting NSF-SBE eligibility on the US side
- Applicants able to resource a 4-year project and manage a cross-Atlantic consortium
- Projects with budgets scaling between £300,000 and £1.5 million at full economic cost

## Key dates

- Rolling deadline; call is continuous with no fixed closing date
- Two-stage process: mandatory Expression of Interest, then invited full application
- 4-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Secure and confirm your US-based co-lead's NSF-SBE eligibility before drafting the Expression of Interest, since the consortium structure is a gating requirement.
- Treat the EOI stage as a real filter, not a formality, full applications are by invitation only after EOI approval.
- Coordinate submission logistics early: UK partners apply via the UKRI Funding Service while US partners use NSF Fastlane, Grants.gov, or Research.gov, and both sides need aligned timelines.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the UKRI-NSF/SBE Lead Agency Opportunity provide?

Projects can request £300,000 to £1.5 million at full economic cost, with AHRC funding 80% of FEC for the UK side of the collaboration.

### Is a US partner required for this AHRC-NSF grant?

Yes, the scheme requires a collaborative UK-US research team with at least one US-based project co-lead eligible under NSF-SBE criteria.

### What is the application process for the AHRC-NSF Lead Agency Opportunity?

Applicants must first submit a mandatory Expression of Interest for approval before being invited to submit a full application via the UKRI Funding Service or NSF Fastlane/Grants.gov/Research.gov.

### How long can funded projects run under this scheme?

Funded projects run for up to 4 years.

### Is there a deadline for the UKRI-NSF/SBE Lead Agency Opportunity?

No, the call runs on a rolling, continuous basis with no fixed deadline.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/ahrc-responsive-mode-ukri-nsf-sbe-lead-agency-opportuni-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

**See which EU calls match your profile.** [Preview your matches in 30 seconds, no signup](https://grantsby.eu/demo?ref=llm_grant_md&grant=ahrc-responsive-mode-ukri-nsf-sbe-lead-agency-opportuni-2026).