# Future Data Services Sandpit: Transforming Discovery and Access

**Funder:** ESRC (UKRI)
**Budget:** Up to £21.6M (shared across 5–10 projects, 80% FEC)
**Deadline:** 3 December 2026 (Full proposal deadline (post-sandpit). Sandpit takes place 12, 14, 19, 23 October 2026.)
**Duration:** 24–48 months (start by 1 April 2027, end by 31 March 2031)
**Consortium:** Required — projects must partner with an existing ESRC social science data service infrastructure investment; co-leads from UK business, third sector or government permitted
**Application:** 2-stage: Expression of Interest → Sandpit (Oct 2026) → Full proposal (deadline ~3 Dec 2026)
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/future-data-services-sandpit-transforming-discovery-and-access/
**Last updated:** 14 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

UK-based organisations only (non-UK applicants ineligible). Projects must enhance existing ESRC social science data service infrastructures (no new services). Focus on improving data discovery, access to sensitive data, technology-enabled pipelines (incl. AI), and upskilling data service staff. Must include an upskilling work package. Business/third sector/government co-leads permitted but cannot lead projects.

## Summary

The ESRC Future Data Services Sandpit funds projects that upgrade existing UK social science data service infrastructures, covering better data discovery, access to sensitive data, AI-enabled pipelines, and staff upskilling. Up to £21.6M is shared across an expected 5-10 projects at 80% FEC, running 24-48 months. Applicants must partner with an existing ESRC data service infrastructure investment and pass through a sandpit stage before submitting a full proposal.

## Who should apply

- Researchers and teams based at UK organisations holding or partnering with an existing ESRC social science data service infrastructure investment
- Projects focused on improving data discovery, sensitive data access, or AI-enabled data pipelines
- Teams able to include a dedicated upskilling work package for data service staff
- Consortia open to co-leads from UK business, third sector or government (though these cannot lead the project)
- Not suitable for proposals to build entirely new data services

## Key dates

- Full proposal deadline: 3 December 2026, following a mandatory sandpit on 12, 14, 19 and 23 October 2026
- Two-stage process: Expression of Interest, then Sandpit, then Full proposal
- Projects run 24-48 months, starting by 1 April 2027 and ending by 31 March 2031

## Tips for applicants

- Attendance across all four sandpit dates in October 2026 appears necessary before a full proposal can be submitted, so block out the full series early.
- Partner explicitly with an existing ESRC data service infrastructure investment, proposals to create new services are out of scope.
- Build a genuine upskilling work package into the design rather than a token training line, since it is a stated requirement, not an add-on.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding is available in the ESRC Future Data Services Sandpit?

Up to £21.6M is available in total, shared across an expected 5-10 projects at 80% full economic cost.

### Who is eligible to apply for the ESRC Future Data Services Sandpit?

Only UK-based organisations can apply, and projects must partner with an existing ESRC social science data service infrastructure investment.

### What is the sandpit stage in this ESRC call?

It's a mandatory in-person stage held on 12, 14, 19 and 23 October 2026 that applicants must go through before submitting a full proposal by 3 December 2026.

### Can businesses or government bodies lead a project in this call?

No, business, third sector or government organisations can co-lead but cannot lead a project; the lead must be the UK research organisation partnering with the ESRC data service infrastructure.

### How long can Future Data Services Sandpit projects run?

Projects can run between 24 and 48 months, starting by 1 April 2027 and ending by 31 March 2031.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/esrc-ukri-future-data-services-sandpit-transforming-discover-2026-12) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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