ESRC Responsive Mode: Research Grants
Offers competitive opportunities for social science teams to pursue policy-relevant inquiries through institution-led applications in the United Kingdom.
ESRC Responsive Mode Research Grants fund basic, applied, and strategic research across the full ESRC remit — any social science topic, methodology, or discipline. Projects must have social sciences representing more than 50% of effort. Award range is £350,000 to £1,000,000 at full economic cost (FEC), with ESRC funding 80% and the host institution covering the remaining 20%. Duration is up to five years. The programme has been always open since September 2023, replacing the old deadlined rounds. Applications are submitted by research organisations (not individuals) via the UKRI Funding Service. International project co-leads are permitted with restrictions; UK-based business, third sector, and government co-leads are allowed.
Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.