ESRC responsive mode: new investigator grants round two
Funding
£100,000 – £350,000
Deadline
4 November 2026
Location
England
Applications
Deadline: 4 November 2026
Overview
ESRC new investigator grants help early career researchers become independent, by giving them experience of managing and leading research projects and teams, and developing their own skills and those of any staff on the grant. Social science must be more than half of the research focus and effort. The full economic cost (FEC) can be £100,000 to £350,000, and ESRC funds 80% of the FEC. Awards last up to five years. This round closes at 4:00pm UK time on 4 November 2026, as ESRC refreshes its applicant-led funding. Official source: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/esrc-responsive-mode-new-investigator-grants-round-two/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
Requirements to check
This is for early career researchers, who must explain in the application why they count as early career and how the grant will help them become independent. The new investigator must be the project lead. They can be from anywhere in the world, with or without a permanent post, but must be based at an organisation eligible for ESRC funding for the whole grant. Social science must be more than 50% of the research.
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
Regions
No published award history for Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Some funders do not publish their grants data.
Full details from Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
This opportunity funds new researchers at the start of their careers to support them to become independent researchers through gaining experience of managing and leading research projects and teams.You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding.
Apply on the UKRI Funding Service. You cannot use Je-S, and your organisation must be registered. Select Start application on the UKRI funding finder page, confirm you are the project lead, then sign in or create a Funding Service account. The project lead completes the application, with input from the team and any project partners, then sends it to the research office, which submits it to UKRI by 4:00pm UK time on 4 November 2026. Only the lead research organisation can submit.
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Create free accountLast updated: 19 October 2026