AHRC
Curiosity Award
Rolling deadline
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Catalog updated: .
These timestamps are not source verification. Confirm the current deadline and your eligibility on the funder’s call page before applying.
No deadline is on file for this call. Check AHRC's own call page for the current round's status before you plan around it.
The AHRC Curiosity Award funds early-stage, exploratory research in arts and humanities disciplines, offering up to £100,000 (80% FEC) over as long as five years. It is open to solo researchers, teams, and networks based in the UK, including non-academic roles such as archivists, curators, technicians, and practitioners. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a single-stage process.
Details
| Funder | AHRC |
| Budget | Up to £100,000 (80% FEC) |
| Duration | Up to 5 years |
| Consortium | Optional — project co-leads and partnerships supported but solo researchers also welcomed |
| Application | Single stage |
| Frequency | Continuous |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
Supports early-stage, ambitious and novel fundamental research in arts and humanities disciplines within AHRC's remit. Open to teams, networks, and solo researchers, including non-academic roles (archivists, curators, technicians, practitioners); project studentships not funded.
Who Should Apply
- •Researchers proposing early-stage, exploratory fundamental research
- •UK-based solo researchers, teams, or networks
- •Arts and humanities disciplines within AHRC's remit
- •Non-academic specialists such as archivists, curators, technicians, and practitioners
- •Applicants not seeking to fund project studentships
Key Dates
- •Rolling deadline with continuous call frequency
- •Single-stage application process
- •Project duration of up to 5 years
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Frame the project around genuine novelty and curiosity-driven inquiry rather than a predefined outcome, this is the award's core selection criterion.
- ✓Solo applications are explicitly welcomed, so don't manufacture a consortium if the research doesn't need one.
- ✓If involving non-academic partners like archivists or curators, make their role in the research (not just support) explicit in the proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the AHRC Curiosity Award pay?
Up to £100,000 at 80% full economic costing (FEC).
How long can an AHRC Curiosity Award project run?
Projects can run for up to 5 years.
Is a consortium required for the AHRC Curiosity Award?
No, consortiums are optional, solo researchers, teams, and networks are all eligible to apply.
Is there a deadline for the AHRC Curiosity Award?
No, the call has a rolling deadline and runs continuously with a single-stage application process.
Can non-academic staff apply for the AHRC Curiosity Award?
Yes, archivists, curators, technicians, and practitioners are explicitly eligible to apply.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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