# Research Grant

**Funder:** Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
**Budget:** £350k–£1M
**Duration:** Up to 5 years
**Consortium:** Optional — co-investigators from business, third sector, government or overseas research organisations can be included via the International Co-investigators policy
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/esrc-research-grant/
**Last updated:** 11 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funding for social science research at approved UK universities and independent research organisations; social sciences must represent more than 50% of research focus. Covers standard research projects, large-scale surveys, methodology or infrastructure development.

## Summary

The ESRC Research Grant funds social science research projects from £350k to £1M over as long as five years, open to researchers at approved UK universities and independent research organisations. Social sciences must make up more than half of the research focus, but the scheme covers standard projects, large-scale surveys, and methodology or infrastructure development. Applications are accepted continuously rather than against fixed annual deadlines, and co-investigators from business, government, the third sector or overseas institutions can be added via the International Co-investigators policy.

## Who should apply

- Researchers based at approved UK universities or independent research organisations
- Projects where social sciences form more than 50% of the research focus
- Teams running standard research projects, large-scale surveys, or methodology/infrastructure development
- Applicants wanting to include co-investigators from business, government, third sector or overseas organisations

## Key dates

- Continuous application round, no fixed annual deadline
- Projects can run for up to five years

## Tips for applicants

- Since there is no fixed deadline, build in time for internal institutional sign-off before submission rather than racing a call date.
- If including international or non-academic co-investigators, check the International Co-investigators policy early as it affects budget justification.
- Clearly state the social science percentage of the project in the case for support, since this is an explicit eligibility threshold.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the ESRC Research Grant pay?

Awards range from £350k to £1M depending on the scale and scope of the project.

### How long can an ESRC Research Grant run?

Projects can run for up to five years.

### Is there a deadline for the ESRC Research Grant?

No, applications are accepted continuously rather than at fixed deadlines.

### Can non-UK researchers be part of an ESRC Research Grant team?

Yes, co-investigators from business, third sector, government or overseas research organisations can be included under the International Co-investigators policy.

### Does the project need to be 100% social science?

No, but social sciences must represent more than 50% of the research focus.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/economic-and-social-research-council-esrc-research-grant-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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