ESRC Transformative Research / IRC

The Economic and Social Research Council Transformative Research / IRC scheme sits under UK Research and Innovation and reflects ESRC's role as the UK's largest funder of economic, social, behavioural, and human data science. ESRC operates as one of the nine UKRI councils, is funded through DSIT, and uses the council-level mission of delivering the greatest public benefit from social science. Its direct-apply portfolio includes Research Grants, New Investigator Grants, Secondary Data Analysis, Connect Awards, React Awards, Doctoral Focal Awards, Postdoctoral Fellowships, Centres and Large Grants, Impact Acceleration Accounts, and the Festival of Social Science. Typical responsive-mode awards run from about £100,000 to £1 million, while larger centre and institute competitions sit in periodic calls and move at a slower cadence than the council's annual thematic rounds. Applicants work through the UKRI Funding Service, and the strongest cases usually combine disciplinary depth with a clear route to broader public value. This route suits university-led teams and industry collaborations that can connect behavioural or social science questions to evidence, data, and practical application, with ESRC's programme mix showing a steady preference for projects that can influence policy, practice, or research infrastructure.

No upcoming rounds verified. Cadence: Annual.