Economic and Social Research Council: every grant open right now (March 2026)
Find all open ESRC grants for March 2026. Academic researchers, charities & social enterprises can apply for social science funding.
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funds research into how society works. They back everything from election studies to employment research, typically supporting universities and research institutions rather than small businesses or community groups.
Most ESRC grants target academic researchers, but a few schemes welcome applications from charities and social enterprises working on policy research or community studies.
All open ESRC grants (March 2026)
| Grant Name | What it funds | Funding | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Placement Scheme 2026 | Cultural institution placements | Up to £16,200 | 19 March 2026 |
| British Election Study 2027 to 2032 | UK election research | Up to £4,900,000 | 14 May 2026 |
| Northern Ireland Election Study 2026 to 2031 | NI election research | Up to £1,500,000 | 14 May 2026 |
| What Works Centre for local employment support | Employment support research centre | Up to £15,000,000 | 19 May 2026 |
| UK National Coordinator for European Social Survey | Survey coordination | Up to £2,310,000 | 21 May 2026 |
| Future Leaders Fellowships: round 11 | Early career researchers | Up to £110,000,000 | Rolling |
| UKRI Translation: Proof of Concept | Research commercialisation | Up to £9,000,000 | Rolling |
| Metascience research grants: round two | Research effectiveness studies | Up to £6,000,000 | Rolling |
International Placement Scheme 2026
This scheme funds researchers to spend time at international cultural institutions like museums, galleries, or archives. You get £6,000 to £16,200 to cover placement costs including travel and accommodation. The deadline is tight: 19 March 2026. This works for PhD students and early career researchers, including those from charities doing cultural research.
What Works Centre for local employment support
ESRC wants to establish a major research centre focused on what actually works in helping people find jobs locally. The successful applicant gets £14-15 million over several years to run this centre. You need serious research credentials and the ability to work with local authorities, job centres, and employment charities. Applications close 19 May 2026.
British Election Study and Northern Ireland Election Study
These are the UK's main election research projects. The British Election Study gets up to £4.9 million to track voting behaviour through the 2029 general election. The Northern Ireland version gets £1.5 million for similar work. Both close 14 May 2026. These typically go to established political science departments at universities.
Future Leaders Fellowships
This massive scheme provides up to £110,000,000 across all research areas for ambitious early-career researchers. You need to be establishing your own research programme and show potential for leadership. The scheme runs on a rolling basis with regular deadlines throughout the year. Most successful applicants work at universities, but some go to research-focused charities.
UKRI Translation: Proof of Concept
This scheme helps turn research into commercial products or services. You can get funding to test whether your research findings could become a viable business or social enterprise. The scheme particularly welcomes applications that address social challenges. Rolling deadlines mean you can apply when ready.
Before you apply
ESRC expects rigorous methodology and clear social impact. Your application must explain how your research will influence policy or practice, not just add to academic knowledge. They want to see partnerships with non-academic organisations like charities, local authorities, or businesses.
Budget carefully and justify every cost. ESRC scrutinises budgets closely and often asks applicants to reduce costs during the review process. Include time for knowledge exchange activities, not just the research itself.
Check the eligibility requirements thoroughly. Many ESRC schemes require your organisation to have a track record in social science research. If you're a charity or social enterprise, you'll need to demonstrate research capability equivalent to academic standards.
Most schemes use peer review by academic experts, so write for an audience that understands research methods but may not know your specific field. Explain why your research questions matter and how you'll answer them convincingly.
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