# Explore Awards

**Funder:** ESRC
**Budget:** £300,000–£2 million (FEC, 80% funded by ESRC)
**Duration:** Up to 60 months
**Consortium:** No - individual researcher or small central research team of up to 4 members (project lead plus up to 3 co-leads)
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/esrc-applicant-led-explore-awards/
**Last updated:** 13 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Applicant-led curiosity-driven social science awards for individuals or small teams pursuing ambitious, risk-embracing research within ESRC's remit; social science must represent >50% of research focus. Applications submitted via new UKRI Funding Service, not Je-S.

## Summary

ESRC Explore Awards fund curiosity-driven social science research led by individuals or small teams pursuing high-risk, high-reward projects that push disciplinary, methodological or conceptual boundaries. Budgets run from £300,000 to £2 million FEC (ESRC covers 80%) over projects lasting up to 60 months. Social science within ESRC's remit must make up more than half of the research effort, and applications go through the UKRI Funding Service rather than Je-S.

## Who should apply

- Individual researchers or small central research teams of up to 4 members
- Social scientists whose work falls more than 50% within ESRC's remit
- Researchers pursuing high-risk, high-reward or boundary-pushing projects
- Teams wanting to include international collaborators as project partners rather than co-investigators
- Applicants comfortable using the UKRI Funding Service rather than Je-S

## Key dates

- Up to 60-month project duration
- Applications submitted via the UKRI Funding Service only

## Tips for applicants

- Quantify how the social science component exceeds 50% of the research effort, ESRC checks this eligibility threshold closely.
- Frame the risk explicitly: reviewers are looking for boundary-pushing ambition, not incremental extension of existing work.
- Keep the core team at or under 4 members and route international partners in as project partners rather than trying to build a full consortium.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the ESRC Explore Award provide?

Awards range from £300,000 to £2 million FEC, with ESRC funding 80% of full economic costs.

### How long can an ESRC Explore Award project run?

Projects can run for up to 60 months.

### Can I apply to the ESRC Explore Award as part of a large consortium?

No, the award is for individual researchers or small central research teams of up to 4 members, though international collaborators can join as project partners.

### Where do I submit an ESRC Explore Award application?

Applications must be submitted via the UKRI Funding Service, not Je-S.

### What proportion of my project needs to be social science for ESRC Explore Award eligibility?

Social science within ESRC's remit must represent more than 50% of the research focus and effort.

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

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