Pre-announcement: ESRC applicant-led: challenge awards

Overview

ESRC challenge awards are for ambitious, larger-scale programmes that bring people, expertise and ideas together to tackle major research, economic and societal challenges. This is a pre-announcement, so the opportunity has not opened yet. The awards can pay for research, innovation or infrastructure programmes. That could be a research centre, a new data resource, or a network with a flexible funding pot. You can request up to three associated studentships if you fully justify them. Projects can run for up to five years. The full economic cost of your project can be between £2 million and £10 million. ESRC will fund 80% of that cost. Budgets at the lower end of the range are welcome. What matters is the ambition to mobilise collaborations at scale. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding. You can be at any career stage, but successful teams are likely to be sizeable and led by experienced researchers. Social sciences within ESRC's remit must make up more than half of the research focus and effort. The timeline shows the opportunity opening in early 2027, and the page gives no closing date. The page warns that information may change. Full details on how to apply will be published when it opens. You will apply through the UKRI Funding Service, not Je-S. One practical caveat: these are standalone investments. No further funding will be available through this opportunity after the award period, so plan early for sustainability and legacy. Official source: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/esrc-applicant-led-challenge-awards/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 15 October 2026.