Long-term cultural and sporting events legacy
- Funding
- £1,100,000 – £1,320,000
- Deadline
- 1 December 2026
- Location
- UK-wide
- Applications
- Deadline: 1 December 2026
Overview
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), in partnership with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), funds research into the long-term legacy of major sporting and cultural events in the UK. The project is a live experimental evaluation of a major event that fills gaps in existing methods. Applications must be made on the UKRI Funding Service, not Je-S. The call opened on 22 September 2026 and closes at 4:00pm UK time on 1 December 2026. The lead research organisation submits, after a check by its research office. There is no matched funding requirement beyond the standard 20% full economic cost share. Third party project partners can give direct and in-kind contributions. Project partners may be in industry, academia, third sector or government organisations, in the UK or overseas.
Requirements to check
Who can apply:
Key requirements:
- AHRC and DCMS fund 80% of the full economic cost; your organisation covers the standard 20%
- Projects last up to 34 months, must start on 1 May 2027 and finish by 31 March 2030
- One case study must be the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grands Départs
- Team must have dedicated administrative resource recruited for the project
- Monthly check-ins with DCMS and quarterly advisory group meetings
- Work must sit within the DCMS remit and deliver practical findings and tools, not mainly academic outputs
- No international co-leads or project studentships
- Only the lead research organisation can submit, via the UKRI Funding Service
Who it is for
- Project leads at UK research organisations eligible for AHRC funding
- Project co-leads employed by an eligible organisation for the length of the award
- Leads and co-leads mainly based in the UK and permitted to work in the UK
- Researchers without a PhD or an academic post
- UK business or third sector researchers joining as co-leads or project partners
Who it is not for
- Government departments and arm's length bodies
- International co-leads
- Project studentships
- Uninvited resubmissions
- Applications made through Je-S
You must be based at a UK research organisation with standard UKRI eligibility for AHRC funding. The project lead and any co-leads must be employed by an eligible organisation for the length of the award. They must also be mainly based and permitted to work in the UK. You do not need a PhD or an academic post. UK business or third sector researchers can join as co-leads or project partners. Government departments and arm's length bodies cannot apply. International co-leads, project studentships and uninvited resubmissions are not accepted.
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
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Start freeWho is this for?
Research teams at UK research organisations eligible for AHRC funding, including practitioners and evaluation experts, who want to evaluate the long-term legacy of major UK sporting and cultural events.
Regions
No published award history for Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). Some funders do not publish their grants data.
Full details from Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Apply for funding to research the long-term impact and legacy of major sporting and cultural events in the UK, focusing on running a live experimental evaluation of a major event that fills gaps in existing methodologies.You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding.
How to apply
Apply through the UKRI Funding Service, not Je-S, and make sure your organisation is registered. Select 'Start application' on the funding page, confirm you are the project lead, and sign in or create an account. Answer the questions online, then send the application to your research office. They check it and submit it to UKRI by 4:00pm UK time on 1 December 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When is the AHRC Long-term cultural and sporting events legacy deadline?
AHRC must receive your application by 1 December 2026 at 4:00pm UK time. You cannot apply after this time.
How do I apply to the AHRC Long-term cultural and sporting events legacy funding?
Apply on the UKRI Funding Service, not Je-S. Send the completed application to your research office, which submits it to UKRI.
Does the AHRC Long-term cultural and sporting events legacy opportunity need matched funding?
No. There is no matched funding requirement beyond the standard 20% FEC. Direct and in-kind contributions from third party project partners are encouraged.
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Create free accountLast updated: 9 November 2026