ESRC
Applicant-Led Challenge Awards
Full details to be published when the opportunity opens; further information expected late 2026
Last updated:
No deadline is on file for this call. Check ESRC's own call page for the current round's status before you plan around it.
The ESRC Applicant-Led Challenge Awards fund large-scale social science research, innovation or infrastructure programmes tackling major societal challenges, with £2M to £10M available at 80% FEC over projects lasting up to 60 months. The call is open to UK-based project leads where social sciences form over half the research focus, and it welcomes but does not require international co-leads or partners from business, government or the third sector. Applicants must submit through the new UKRI Funding Service rather than Je-S.
Details
| Funder | ESRC |
| Budget | £2M–£10M (80% FEC funded by ESRC) |
| Duration | Up to 60 months |
| Consortium | Optional — welcomes interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration, international co-leads and project partners, but not mandatory for a single applicant |
| Application | Multi-stage assessment process |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
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.
Who Should Apply
- •UK-based project leads submitting as sole applicants or with international co-leads
- •Researchers whose work is majority social science (over 50% of research focus)
- •Teams proposing large-scale, ambitious research, innovation or infrastructure programmes
- •Projects optionally involving business, third-sector or government co-leads or partners
Key Dates
- •Full call details and deadline expected to be published when the opportunity opens, with further information anticipated late 2026
- •Multi-stage assessment process
- •Up to 60-month project duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Ensure social sciences clearly represent over 50% of the research focus, as this is a hard eligibility threshold, not a preference.
- ✓Use the new UKRI Funding Service portal rather than Je-S, and confirm access well ahead of any deadline once the call opens.
- ✓If including international or cross-sector co-leads, make their role and contribution explicit given ESRC's emphasis on interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration for this call.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does the ESRC Applicant-Led Challenge Awards provide?
Awards range from £2M to £10M, funded at 80% of full economic cost (FEC) by ESRC.
How long can an ESRC Applicant-Led Challenge Awards project run?
Projects can run for up to 60 months (five years).
Who is eligible to apply for the ESRC Applicant-Led Challenge Awards?
The project lead must be UK-based, with social sciences making up over 50% of the research focus; international co-leads and co-leads from business, third-sector or government organisations are permitted.
Do I need a consortium to apply for this ESRC award?
No, a consortium is not mandatory, but the call welcomes interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration with international or non-academic co-leads.
When does the ESRC Applicant-Led Challenge Awards open?
Full details and deadlines are expected to be published when the opportunity opens, with further information anticipated in late 2026.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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