# Data for Metascience Sandpit

**Funder:** ESRC
**Budget:** Up to £2 million at 80% FEC for all projects
**Deadline:** 24 November 2026 (16:00 UK time; expression of interest stage)
**Duration:** 12-18 months
**Consortium:** No - individual applicant, with option for project co-leads from business, third sector or government organisations
**Application:** 2-stage: expression of interest to attend sandpit → full project application post-sandpit (expected 13 May 2027)
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/data-for-metascience-sandpit-2027/
**Last updated:** 25 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Five-day interactive sandpit (1,2,3,9,10 March 2027) for researchers to develop metascience projects using UKRI administrative data on R&D funding. Applicant must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding; international collaboration not allowed; full attendance mandatory; host institution must fund 20% of FEC.

## Summary

The Data for Metascience Sandpit, funded by ESRC, offers up to £2 million at 80% FEC (shared across all resulting projects) for researchers to attend a five-day interactive sandpit and develop metascience projects using UKRI administrative data on R&D funding. It is open to individual applicants based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding, with the option to bring project co-leads from business, third sector or government bodies. The sandpit is a one-off call, run as a two-stage process: an expression of interest to attend, followed by a full project application after the event.

## Who should apply

- Researchers based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding
- Individual applicants rather than pre-formed consortia
- Those able to commit to full attendance at the five-day sandpit (1-10 March 2027)
- Researchers interested in metascience and R&D funding data analysis
- Applicants who can secure a host institution commitment to fund 20% of FEC

## Key dates

- Expression of interest deadline: 24 November 2026, 16:00 UK time
- Sandpit event: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10 March 2027, with full project applications expected by 13 May 2027
- Project duration: 12-18 months

## Tips for applicants

- Attendance at all five sandpit days is mandatory, so confirm diary availability before submitting the expression of interest.
- If bringing a co-lead from business, third sector or government, clarify their role early since the application itself is submitted by an individual, not a consortium.
- Since this is a one-off call with no stated recurrence, treat the expression-of-interest stage as the only entry point rather than waiting for a future round.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the Data for Metascience Sandpit provide?

Up to £2 million at 80% FEC is available in total across all projects emerging from the sandpit, with the host institution funding the remaining 20%.

### Who can apply to the ESRC Data for Metascience Sandpit?

Individual researchers based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding; international collaboration is not allowed.

### What is the application process for this sandpit?

It is a two-stage process: submit an expression of interest by 24 November 2026 to attend the sandpit, then submit a full project application after the event, expected by 13 May 2027.

### How long do funded projects last?

Funded projects run for 12 to 18 months.

### Is this a recurring ESRC call?

No, it is listed as a one-off call.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/esrc-data-for-metascience-sandpit-2026-11) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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