ESRC applicant-led: Challenge Awards

The ESRC applicant-led Challenge Awards are large-scale grants to support ambitious programmes of research, innovation or infrastructure that address major social science research, societal or economic challenges. Awards are for projects with a full economic cost between £2 million and £10 million, with ESRC funding 80% of the FEC, and projects can run for up to five years. Applications must be led from a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding and may include international collaborators as partners or co-leads. The awards prioritise interdisciplinary approaches and research where social sciences represent more than 50% of the research focus.

Research funding between £2 million and £10 million (project FEC) with ESRC covering 80% of costs; support for multi-year projects up to five years; opportunity to include international and non-academic partners.

Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding. International researchers may participate as project co-leads or collaborators but eligible lead applicants must be based at an approved UK organisation. Applications can include teams at any career stage and are expected to be led by researchers with appropriate experience for the proposed project.

Apply through UKRI's funding application process via the UKRI Apply for Funding portal; follow UKRI/ESRC application guidance and remit requirements.