AHRC responsive mode: catalyst awards
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) · United Kingdom
Catalyst awards support researchers who have not previously led a significant research project. The funding helps accelerate their development as independent researchers while building leadership, collaboration, and project management experience through ambitious or complex research projects.
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Catalyst awards support researchers who have not previously led a significant research project. The funding helps accelerate their development as independent researchers while building leadership, collaboration, and project management experience through ambitious or complex research projects.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Arts and humanities research areas within AHRC remit.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
Researchers based at a UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding who have not previously been project lead on a significant research grant or fellowship (with limited exceptions such as doctoral training awards or early career fellowships). Applications must be submitted by a UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding. Projects should advance knowledge in arts and humanities di...
Eligible applicants
Researchers based at a UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding who have not previously been project lead on a significant research grant or fellowship (with limited exceptions such as doctoral training awards or early career fellowships).
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£100,000 - £300,000 (full economic cost)
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
AHRC funds 80% of the full economic cost (FEC).
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Projects should advance knowledge in arts and humanities disciplines and demonstrate how funding will develop researchers’ leadership and research capability.
Eligible expenses
- Project staff, travel for fieldwork or collaboration, consumables, facilities, and other justified research costs.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under AHRC responsive mode funding opportunity and UKRI FEC terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Open (Rolling assessment)
Decision timeline
Assessment process aims to be completed within approximately 9 months after submission.
Assessment process
Applications undergo peer review by experts, followed by panel assessment and funding recommendation.
Application sections
- Summary, vision, approach, applicant and team capability, ethics and responsible research, resources and cost justification, and project partner details.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they fail eligibility requirements or do not follow submission guidance.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
31 Jan 2025
Project duration
Up to 5 years
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Collaborative projects are encouraged and may include teams, networks, and interdisciplinary research partnerships.
- International researchers can participate as project co-leads.
Consortium requirements
- Not specified
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"Arts and humanities research, including interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and practice-based research."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"No interview stage specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Projects must demonstrate research excellence, a clear development pathway for the researcher, strong methodology, and justified resources."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Applications must be submitted through the UKRI Funding Service. Assessment includes peer review, applicant response to reviews, and panel ranking before the final decision by AHRC."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- £100,000 - £300,000 (full economic cost)
- Funding band
- Small (£50k-£500k)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Arts and humanities research areas within AHRC remit.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 31 Jan 2025