AHRC responsive mode: Curiosity Award
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) · United Kingdom
Flexible grants designed to support early-stage, ambitious and novel fundamental research in the arts and humanities that can generate new research agendas, collaborations, and future research opportunities. AHRC responsive mode_ Curiosity…
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Flexible grants designed to support early-stage, ambitious and novel fundamental research in the arts and humanities that can generate new research agendas, collaborations, and future research opportunities. AHRC responsive mode_ Curiosity…
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Arts and humanities disciplines within AHRC remit.
Match funding
Not required
Requirements
Researchers at any career stage based at an eligible UK research organisation. Applicants may include academics as well as archivists, curators, librarians, technicians, and practitioners with appropriate expertise. AHRC responsive mode_ Curiosity… The project lead must be based at an eligible UK research organisation which submits the application. Projects that develop novel research ideas, ex...
Eligible applicants
Researchers at any career stage based at an eligible UK research organisation. Applicants may include academics as well as archivists, curators, librarians, technicians, and practitioners with appropriate expertise. AHRC responsive mode_ Curiosity…
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Up to £100,000 (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 that develop novel research ideas, explore high-risk high-potential concepts, build partnerships, conduct networking or knowledge exchange, or test early-stage proof-of-concept research.
Eligible expenses
- Project staff costs, travel and collaboration costs, networking and engagement activities, and other resources needed to deliver the project objectives.
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
AHRC aims to issue outcomes within approximately six months of receiving the application.
Assessment process
Applications are assessed by an expert panel against key criteria such as vision, approach, team capability, ethics and RRI, and resource justification.
Application sections
- Summary, discipline classification, vision, approach, applicant and team capability to deliver, project partners, ethics and responsible research and innovation, resources and cost justification.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications that do not follow guidance, fall outside AHRC remit, or do not meet eligibility requirements may be rejected.
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
- Collaboration is permitted and encouraged, including interdisciplinary teams and partnerships with organisations in academia, industry, government, or the third sector.
- International project co-leads and collaborators are allowed, subject to UKRI eligibility rules.
Consortium requirements
- Not required
- projects may involve individual researchers, teams, or networks.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"Early-stage fundamental research, exploratory research, idea generation, networking and pilot activities."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Proposals must demonstrate ambitious and novel research ideas within the arts and humanities remit and show potential to generate new research directions or collaborations."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"If an application is rejected and invited for resubmission, it will be reassessed and a decision typically provided within nine months of receiving the resubmission."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"The funding opportunity is continuously open and applications can be submitted at any time."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- Up to £100,000 (full economic cost)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Arts and humanities disciplines within AHRC remit.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 31 Jan 2025