ESRC Applicant-led: Explore Awards

The ESRC Explore Awards support individuals or small teams to pursue ambitious, curiosity-driven social science research that advances knowledge within the ESRC remit. Projects may be basic or applied, experimental or theoretical, and can take various forms including research projects, data resources or infrastructure initiatives. Awards fund projects between £300,000 and £2,000,000 (full economic cost) with ESRC typically funding 80% of the FEC and projects lasting up to 60 months. Applications must be from researchers based at UK research organisations eligible for ESRC funding.

Research project funding covering 80% of full economic costs up to £2,000,000; project duration funding for up to 60 months.

Applicants can be at any stage of their career. Applications must be submitted by an individual researcher or a small central research team (one project lead and up to three project co-leads). Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding. International researchers may be included as project co-leads or collaborators as set out in the guidance.

Applications are submitted through UKRI's funding application process and must be led by an individual researcher or a central research team of up to four core members based at an eligible UK research organisation.