Social sciences grants

Open competition for UK research organisations with a research base in AHRC remit areas. Funds early-stage impact activities (proof of concept, commercialisation, knowledge exchange, policy engagement). One application per eligible research organisation. At least 50% of activities must fall within AHRC remit. No matched funding required.

International postdoctoral fellowship enabling early-career researchers to conduct research abroad in humanities, social sciences or educational sciences.

Funds mature digital, data-driven and AI-powered healthcare solutions ready to scale across Europe, covering commercialisation pilots, usability testing, go-to-market strategy, health economics and reimbursement pathway development. Funding covers up to 50% of costs; applicants must be legal entities in eligible Horizon Europe countries.

Second funding period (2027–2030) of SPP 2431 'New Data Spaces for the Social Sciences'. Open to researchers at German institutions. Covers four areas: data integration/linkage, respondent-driven designs, instrument validity, and multimodal data acquisition. Proposals must be submitted via the DFG elan portal. Host institution must have implemented DFG Code of Conduct for Good Research Practice.

Supports novel, ambitious, transformative arts and humanities research teams (3–5 years, £2M–£3M FEC; AHRC funds 80%). Must be team-convened with distributed co-lead leadership. Lead research organisation must have standard UKRI eligibility (UK-based). International co-leads eligible up to 30% FEC. No PhD studentships permitted. Proposals must fall within AHRC subject remit.

Call for the second three-year project funding period (2027-2030) of a long-term Infrastructure Priority Programme on new data spaces for social science panel surveys, covering four research areas including AI-based data integration and multimodal data acquisition. Proposals must follow DFG forms 53.01 and 53.200 and be submitted via the elan portal.

Funding for established researchers or teams (2-8 applicants) to pursue bold, creative research in any discipline (STEM, humanities, social science, clinical/health) to shift understanding of human life, health and wellbeing. Administering organisation must be a not-for-profit in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or a low/middle-income country (excluding India and mainland China); grant funds cannot be transferred to mainland China.

Establishes up to three new Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME Society), focused on social science and humanistic perspectives on the energy transition.

CASS (China) - Bilateral call with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences from the F.R.S.-FNRS, the research-funding agency for Belgium's French-speaking community (Wallonia–Brussels). The host institution must be a French-Community university or approved research centre in Belgium.

Bilateral Switzerland–Austria Weave call under SNSF project funding and FWF Stand-Alone Projects. Projects must start on the same date in both countries and run for identical durations (max 48 months). Applicants may hold max 2 simultaneous SNSF project grants; one must be a Weave/Lead Agency project. Non-English submissions possible in some humanities/social sciences disciplines by prior agreement with both agencies.

Bilateral SNSF–F.R.S.-FNRS Weave/Lead Agency call for joint research projects between Swiss applicants and researchers at named Wallonia-Brussels universities. Applicants may hold max two simultaneous project grants, one of which must be this Weave project; submission in a non-English language possible only in some humanities/social sciences disciplines.

Open to experienced researchers (≥4 years post-PhD) working at least 50% at an eligible Swiss research institution; applications for mathematics, natural sciences, engineering, biology, medicine, psychology, economics and political science must be in English. International collaboration requires applying via Weave, Lead Agency or International Co-Investigator Scheme.

For researchers with clinical duties in medical, care, social science and behavioural science activities.

Allows Swiss applicants to include co-applicants in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands (up to 50% of budget), or the UK for humanities/social sciences projects (up to 30% of budget, co-funded with ESRC/AHRC). Single evaluation by SNSF; no additional joint budget; country-specific employment rules apply for staff hired abroad.

Bilateral Weave call between SNSF (Switzerland) and F.R.S.-FNRS (Belgium, Wallonia-Brussels). Swiss applicants apply under SNSF project funding; Belgian partners must be affiliated with one of six eligible universities (UCLouvain, ULB, ULiège, UMons, UNamur, USL-B). Max 2 simultaneous SNSF project grants; topics must be clearly distinct. Non-English submissions possible only in certain humanities/social sciences disciplines with prior agency agreement.

Enables joint international research projects evaluated by a single funder (SNSF or partner agency) instead of separate national applications; requires co-applicants from Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, or UK (humanities/social sciences only); project partners from other countries may receive up to 20% of the SNSF budget.

Bilateral Swiss-French Lead Agency scheme run jointly by SNSF and ANR under the PRCI funding line; applicants may hold max two simultaneous project grants and must pre-register before submitting a full proposal. Project duration same in both countries, max 48 months, same start date. Submission in a language other than English only possible in certain humanities/social sciences disciplines, subject to prior agreement.

Open only to project leads who attended the AI supported research sandpit in Manchester (23–24 June 2026) and were invited to apply. Applicants from non-UK organisations are not eligible to lead. Projects must use at least one ESRC/ADR UK/SDR UK data infrastructure and start by 31 March 2027. UKRI funds 80% FEC; up to £230,000 FEC per project.

Call for long-term interdisciplinary research networks (NCCRs) in social sciences and humanities (SSH), based at ≥2 Swiss home institutions; proposals must be in English; director must hold a permanent position and have SSH background.

Call for at least one additional NCCR in social sciences and humanities (SSH); interdisciplinary proposals allowed but core scientific contribution must remain in SSH. Requires support from a minimum of two home institutions in Switzerland; all proposal documents must be in English; director must hold a permanent position at a recognised home institution.

Joint NWO–FAPESP call for bilateral Netherlands–São Paulo research on replacing fossil feedstocks with circular biomass-derived materials in the chemical industry. Consortia must include a Dutch research organisation, a São Paulo-based researcher, and at least one private company co-funder. NWO/FAPESP finance max 70% of total budget; 30% must come from mandatory in-cash/in-kind co-funding. Multi-disciplinary scope: chemical engineering, economics, sustainability, social and legal perspectives.

Fundamental, speculative, high-risk/high-reward research to advance explainability of future AI systems. UK research organisations only as lead; UKRI funds 80% of FEC (max £602,500 FEC). Fixed project start date of 1 February 2027. Applications particularly welcome from early and mid-career researchers. No PhD studentship costs or equipment >£25k per item. Purely social science, legal, policy or ethical studies are out of scope.

Open to experienced researchers based at Swiss higher education/research institutions (ETH domain, accredited universities, UAS, UTE, or research facilities of national importance). NCCR director must hold a permanent position, have an SSH background, and commit for at least 4 years. Majority of directors and PIs must be SSH-active. Home institutions must co-fund matching SNSF contribution. Proposals must be submitted in English via mySNF.

Trans-Atlantic Platform (TAP) call supporting collaborative transnational social sciences and humanities (SSH) research on societal preparedness for uncertain futures. Requires international, interdisciplinary research teams; submission via the elan portal or national partner agencies.

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.

For students, young academics and researchers based in Armenia (residents or studying there) under 35 to attend international conferences, seminars, short courses or research trips abroad. Preference given to humanities, social sciences, environmental sustainability and climate change topics; fixed award amount paid in euros.

Main annual project funding round for humanities, social science, public health and epidemiological cancer research at Danish institutions.

Main funding round for humanities, social science, public health and epidemiological cancer research.

Project funding in the humanities, social sciences and medicine. Open to applicants holding a doctoral/post-doctoral degree at universities or non-profit research institutions. The project must have a clear connection to the German research system, personally, institutionally or thematically.

Open to established researchers or teams led by an established researcher based at eligible not-for-profit organisations in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or low- and middle-income countries (excluding India and mainland China). Research must fit within Wellcome's Discovery Research remit and have potential to improve human life, health, and wellbeing across any discipline including STEM, humanities, social science, and public health.

Joint DFG–SSHRC call for German-Canadian IRTGs in social sciences and humanities (excluding health-focused topics). German team based at a university with doctoral degree-granting rights; Canadian lead must be at an SSHRC-eligible institution. Funds PhD positions (up to 48 months), research visits (6–12 months reciprocal), workshops, and seminars. ~30 doctoral researchers funded on the German side; 14–20 on the Canadian side.

Joint DFG-SSHRC scheme funding one German-Canadian International Research Training Group in social sciences and humanities (non-health-focused), supporting doctoral researcher exchanges, PhD positions, and reciprocal research visits between German and Canadian institutions. Canadian lead PI must be affiliated with an SSHRC-eligible institution; proposal must meet SSHRC subject-matter eligibility.

Bilateral Switzerland–Luxembourg Weave call under SNSF project funding. FNR participation is limited to the CORE multi-annual thematic programme. Applicants may hold max 2 simultaneous SNSF project grants, one of which must be a Weave/Lead Agency project; topics must be clearly distinct. Non-English proposals (humanities/social sciences only) require prior agency agreement.

Social sciences and humanities. Multilateral initiative; Swiss researchers fully eligible. Funding provided by SNSF for Swiss-based project participants. See national annex of each call for submission details.

Joint call between DFG and Canada's SSHRC for International Research Training Groups in Social Sciences and Humanities. Requires collaboration between German and Canadian research groups; each agency funds its own side.

UK-based applicants only; multidisciplinary team required including clinical, health economics, and statistical expertise. Research must address NHS or social care patient populations framed in PICO terms. Intervention must be ready for HTA evaluation, evidenced by systematic review or equivalent synthesis. CTU involvement required for clinical trials.

Aimed at project teams from humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences investigating how ideas transfer from academia into political and ideological contexts; funds cooperation projects and postdoctoral positions.

Joint NIHR/MRC call (Better Methods, Better Research programme) for methodological research on synthetic health/social care data: privacy-fidelity trade-offs, regulatory frameworks, complex data structures (time-series, longitudinal, mixed types), rare diseases, and health economics. Public and patient involvement required throughout. NIHR/MRC fund up to 80% FEC.

HTA Programme commissioned call for health technology assessment of interventions for children and young people with non-progressive motor disorders affecting their speech. Applicants must be UK-based; research must address NHS or social care populations using PICO-structured questions with cost-effectiveness outcomes. Multidisciplinary teams including patient/public involvement and health economics expertise required.

Funds international exchange programmes in health-related humanities, social sciences or bioethics, enabling researcher exchanges and career development. Lead applicant must be UK-based; other programme leaders must be based outside the UK, excluding mainland China; no transfer of funds into mainland China permitted.

Funds international exchange programmes in humanities, social science and bioethics, covering staff salaries, overheads, equipment, travel, subsistence and overseas allowances for researchers relocating internationally for extended periods.

DFG and SSHRC joint call for German-Canadian International Research Training Groups in Social Sciences and Humanities. Requires collaboration between German and Canadian institutions. Published 18 August 2026.

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.

Open only to humanities and social sciences (SHS). ANR funds a 2-year postdoctoral contract (July 2026–August 2028) to prepare a competitive ERC Starting Grant 2028 application. Host institution must be in France. Includes support and accompaniment for the ERC submission.

Joint Research Projects in social sciences, co-funded by SNSF (Swiss side) and India's ICSSR (Indian side). Up to 10 projects funded. Thematic framework defined in the call document. Swiss applicants must collaborate with an Indian partner institution.

NIHR HTA Programme commissioned call for health technology assessment of interventions for school-aged children with developmental stammer. UK-based applicants required; multidisciplinary team (clinical, health economics, statistics expertise) expected. NHS or social care setting; PICO framework required; CTU involvement advised for trials.

For emerging or established research groups in health-related humanities, social sciences or bioethics; lead applicant plus 1-6 co-applicants, each needing a permanent/long-term contract or guarantee thereof. Organisations may be based anywhere except mainland China; transfer of funds into mainland China is not permitted.

Funds health technology assessments of NHS/social care technologies evaluated using a PICO framework. Applicants must be UK-based with a multidisciplinary team including clinical, health economics, and statistics expertise. Clinical trials must engage an accredited UKCRC CTU. Systematic reviews must be registered in PROSPERO.

Publication from the Carlsberg Foundation, which funds basic research in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities carried out by Danish researchers or foreign researchers connected to the Danish research environment. Grants for the publication of monographs based on research supported by

Applied interdisciplinary research on 7 predefined societal challenges (water cycle, forest management, housing/sustainable cities, AI, neurodegenerative diseases, healthcare system economics, migration). Principal investigator must be Spanish national or resident, affiliated with a Spanish university or public/private non-profit research institution.

Supports transdisciplinary teams combining genomics-related life sciences, humanities, social sciences, bioethics and wider stakeholders to co-develop discovery research agendas. Lead applicant can be based anywhere except mainland China; commercial organisations cannot be administering organisations though coapplicants/collaborators may be commercial.

Urgent research projects from the Carlsberg Foundation, which funds basic research in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities carried out by Danish researchers or foreign researchers connected to the Danish research environment. Urgent research support.

Supports large-scale, ambitious social science research, innovation or infrastructure programmes addressing major challenges; social sciences must represent over 50% of research focus. Open to UK-based project leads with international co-leads and business/third-sector/government co-leads permitted; applicants must use the new UKRI Funding Service, not Je-S.

Supports UK-based social science researchers at key career development or transition points to build new skills, pivot disciplines, or develop advanced methods. Social sciences must represent more than 50% of research focus; international co-leads and partners permitted but host organisation must be a standard eligible UK institution.

Joint call with the Indian Council of Social Science Research for social science research with Indian partners. SNSF covers Swiss costs; ICSSR covers Indian costs. Up to 10 projects funded. Thematic framework defined in the call document. Maximum duration 3 years, maximum CHF 300,000.

Aimed at outstanding professors from the humanities and social sciences, providing funding for a substitute professorship to allow time for a major research project.

Trans-Atlantic Platform for Social Sciences and Humanities. Multilateral initiative; Swiss researchers fully eligible. Funding provided by SNSF for Swiss-based project participants. See national annex of each call for submission details.

Funds humanistic, social science, public health and epidemiological cancer research, including patient perspectives, behavioural research, rehabilitation, palliative care and ethics; own salary, assistance, minor equipment and running costs covered. Open to cancer researchers at Danish institutions and Danish researchers working abroad intending to bring results back to Denmark.

Funding for social science research at UK universities and independent research organisations; social sciences must represent more than 50% of research focus. Covers standard research projects, large-scale surveys, methodology or infrastructure development.

Humanities. Multilateral initiative; Swiss researchers fully eligible. Funding provided by SNSF for Swiss-based project participants. See national annex of each call for submission details.

One scholar per semester from a Flemish university (KU Leuven, Antwerp, Ghent, or others by arrangement) may apply for a research stay at the NVIC in Cairo (3–12 weeks). NVIC provides logistical support and desk space; the scholar must give a public lecture or teach classes at the end of the stay. Focus areas: Arabic/Islamic Studies, Egyptology, Archaeology, Middle East Studies, social sciences and humanities.

Funds bold, creative research in any discipline (STEM, experimental medicine, humanities, social science, clinical/public health) with potential to improve health. Administering organisation must be a not-for-profit in UK, Republic of Ireland, or a low/middle-income country (excluding India and mainland China); lead applicant needs a permanent or long-term contract.

Open to emerging or established research groups in health-related humanities, social sciences or bioethics. Lead applicant must have programme/network leadership experience. All applicants must hold permanent, open-ended or long-term rolling contracts. Organisations worldwide eligible except mainland China. High-income country applicants must show significant additional resource commitment from their organisation or another funder.

UK–Brazil (ESRC–FAPESP) collaborative social science research. UK FEC £350k–£1M (80% funded by ESRC). São Paulo partners funded by FAPESP. Any social science topic within ESRC/FAPESP remit; social sciences must be >50% of focus. Proposals submitted in English via UKRI Funding Service (UK lead) and SAGe (São Paulo lead) in the same week.