AHRC
Attendance and Engagement at UK Sporting, Cultural and Heritage Sites
16:00 UK time
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This AHRC call, run jointly with DCMS, funds up to £1.32 million (80% FEC) for interdisciplinary research developing deployable models to measure attendance and engagement at unticketed UK sporting, cultural and heritage events. It is a one-off, single-stage call open to UK-based teams only, with international co-leads and PhD studentships excluded. Projects can run up to 34 months and must start by 1 May 2027.
Details
| Funder | AHRC |
| Budget | Up to £1.32 million FEC, AHRC and DCMS fund 80% of FEC |
| Deadline | 1 December 2026 |
| Duration | Up to 34 months; projects must start by 1 May 2027 |
| Consortium | Optional — project co-leads and project partners (including business/third sector) permitted and encouraged, but international co-leads not eligible |
| Application | Single stage |
| Frequency | One-off |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
AHRC in partnership with DCMS funds research developing deployable models to measure attendance and participation at unticketed UK sporting, cultural and heritage events. International co-leads and PhD studentships are not eligible; applicants must be primarily based and permitted to work in the UK.
Who Should Apply
- •UK-based researchers and institutions (international co-leads not eligible)
- •Interdisciplinary teams spanning research methods, culture, heritage or sport
- •Projects aiming to produce practical, deployable measurement tools rather than pure theory
- •Teams open to involving business, third-sector or DCMS partners, though not required
Key Dates
- •Deadline: 1 December 2026, 16:00 UK time
- •Single-stage application
- •Project must start by 1 May 2027; duration up to 34 months
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Since co-leads and partners are optional but encouraged, involving a DCMS stakeholder or sector partner likely strengthens the case for deployability.
- ✓Focus the proposal on producing a measurement model that is genuinely deployable at unticketed venues, not just an academic study of attendance patterns.
- ✓Because this is a one-off, single-stage call with no resubmission cycle, budget extra time for a full FEC costing exercise before the 1 December 2026 deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding is available for the AHRC Attendance and Engagement at UK Sporting, Cultural and Heritage Sites call?
Up to £1.32 million full economic cost, with AHRC and DCMS jointly funding 80% of FEC.
Who can apply for this AHRC-DCMS grant?
UK-based researchers and institutions; international co-leads and PhD studentships are not eligible.
Is a consortium required for this call?
No, project co-leads and partners including business, third-sector or DCMS stakeholders are encouraged but not mandatory.
What is the deadline for this AHRC call?
The deadline is 1 December 2026 at 16:00 UK time, and funded projects must start by 1 May 2027.
How long can funded projects run?
Projects can run for up to 34 months.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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