ESRC
Data for Metascience Sandpit
16:00 UK time; expression of interest stage
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The Data for Metascience Sandpit, funded by ESRC, offers up to £2 million at 80% FEC (shared across all resulting projects) for researchers to attend a five-day interactive sandpit and develop metascience projects using UKRI administrative data on R&D funding. It is open to individual applicants based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding, with the option to bring project co-leads from business, third sector or government bodies. The sandpit is a one-off call, run as a two-stage process: an expression of interest to attend, followed by a full project application after the event.
Details
| Funder | ESRC |
| Budget | Up to £2 million at 80% FEC for all projects |
| Deadline | 24 November 2026 |
| Duration | 12-18 months |
| Consortium | No - individual applicant, with option for project co-leads from business, third sector or government organisations |
| Application | 2-stage: expression of interest to attend sandpit → full project application post-sandpit (expected 13 May 2027) |
| Frequency | One-off |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
Five-day interactive sandpit (1,2,3,9,10 March 2027) for researchers to develop metascience projects using UKRI administrative data on R&D funding. Applicant must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding; international collaboration not allowed; full attendance mandatory; host institution must fund 20% of FEC.
Who Should Apply
- •Researchers based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding
- •Individual applicants rather than pre-formed consortia
- •Those able to commit to full attendance at the five-day sandpit (1-10 March 2027)
- •Researchers interested in metascience and R&D funding data analysis
- •Applicants who can secure a host institution commitment to fund 20% of FEC
Key Dates
- •Expression of interest deadline: 24 November 2026, 16:00 UK time
- •Sandpit event: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10 March 2027, with full project applications expected by 13 May 2027
- •Project duration: 12-18 months
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Attendance at all five sandpit days is mandatory, so confirm diary availability before submitting the expression of interest.
- ✓If bringing a co-lead from business, third sector or government, clarify their role early since the application itself is submitted by an individual, not a consortium.
- ✓Since this is a one-off call with no stated recurrence, treat the expression-of-interest stage as the only entry point rather than waiting for a future round.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does the Data for Metascience Sandpit provide?
Up to £2 million at 80% FEC is available in total across all projects emerging from the sandpit, with the host institution funding the remaining 20%.
Who can apply to the ESRC Data for Metascience Sandpit?
Individual researchers based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding; international collaboration is not allowed.
What is the application process for this sandpit?
It is a two-stage process: submit an expression of interest by 24 November 2026 to attend the sandpit, then submit a full project application after the event, expected by 13 May 2027.
How long do funded projects last?
Funded projects run for 12 to 18 months.
Is this a recurring ESRC call?
No, it is listed as a one-off call.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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