ESRC
Grow Awards
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 Grow Awards fund social science research projects worth £100,000 to £500,000 (full economic cost, with ESRC covering 80%) lasting between 18 and 60 months. The call targets researchers at a career transition point, establishing independence, pivoting discipline, or building advanced methods, and is open to any career stage, not just early career. Applications are led by a single individual, though international co-leads and partners can be added, and must go through the new UKRI Funding Service rather than Je-S.
Details
| Funder | ESRC |
| Budget | £100,000–£500,000 (80% FEC) |
| Duration | 18-60 months |
| Consortium | Optional — project co-leads, international collaborators and business/third sector/government body partners may be included but are not required |
| Application | Single stage, via UKRI Funding Service (not Je-S) |
| Career stage | Early-career opportunity |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
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.
Who Should Apply
- •Researchers at a career transition point (gaining independence, changing discipline, or adopting advanced methods)
- •Applicants of any career stage, not limited to early-career researchers
- •Individual project leads, optionally supported by co-leads or international partners
- •Projects where social science represents more than half the overall research focus
Key Dates
- •Project duration ranges from 18 to 60 months
- •Applications submitted via the UKRI Funding Service (not Je-S)
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Frame the project explicitly around a career transition, independence, discipline pivot, or new methods, since this is the core eligibility test, not just career age.
- ✓Make sure social science accounts for clearly over half the research focus if the project is interdisciplinary, as this threshold is checked directly.
- ✓Use the UKRI Funding Service rather than Je-S, and check institutional sign-off processes for this newer system early since workflows may differ from legacy ESRC applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does the ESRC Grow Awards provide?
Grow Awards fund projects between £100,000 and £500,000 at full economic cost, with ESRC covering 80% of that cost.
Who is eligible for the ESRC Grow Awards?
Researchers at any career stage who are at a key transition point, such as establishing independence, pivoting discipline, or building advanced methods, are eligible, provided the project is led by one individual and social science makes up more than half the research focus.
How long can an ESRC Grow Awards project last?
Projects can run from 18 up to 60 months.
Can I include international collaborators in a Grow Awards application?
Yes, international co-leads and partners are permitted, though the application itself must be led by a single individual.
Where do I apply for the ESRC Grow Awards?
Applications are submitted through the new UKRI Funding Service rather than the older Je-S system.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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