# Academic Lead partnership with Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC for economic data

**Funder:** ESRC
**Consortium:** No
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/
**Last verified:** 18 June 2026

## Summary

This ESRC partnership call funds academic researchers collaborating with the Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC to conduct policy-relevant research on economic data, tax, and welfare systems in the UK. The call is open to UK-based researchers in economics, social policy, and related disciplines who can embed within government teams to deliver applied insights. This is a rare opportunity for academics to access administrative data and shape evidence for major UK fiscal and employment policy.

## Who should apply

- UK-based researchers in economics, public policy, or social science disciplines
- Academics with experience handling sensitive administrative or linked datasets
- Researchers willing to embed part-time within DWP or HMRC during the project
- Projects addressing tax policy, welfare reform, employment, or labour-market outcomes

## Key dates

- Call first listed 2 April 2026; check ESRC website for deadline

## Tips for applicants

- DWP and HMRC prioritise research questions that map directly to live policy decisions; frame your proposal around a concrete policy lever or reform cycle.
- Administrative data access requires security clearance and compliance with government information governance, demonstrate prior experience or a named sponsor within the partner department.
- The embedding model requires real time commitment; secure explicit institutional support and backfill arrangements before applying.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the ESRC Academic Lead partnership?

It funds academic researchers to work alongside civil servants at DWP and HMRC, using administrative economic data to produce policy-relevant research.

### Who can apply for the ESRC Academic Lead partnership?

UK-based researchers in economics, social policy, and related fields who can commit to embedding part-time within government departments.

### What kind of research does this call fund?

Applied economic research using administrative tax and welfare data, focused on policy questions in employment, tax, and social security.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/esrc-academic-lead-partnership-with-department-for-work-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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