Centre for Longitudinal Studies: 2027 to 2031 (invite only)
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) · United Kingdom
Grant to support the Centre for Longitudinal Studies in managing ESRC’s life-course cohort portfolio. Ensures continued provision and enhancement of UK longitudinal data for research, policy, and practice. Invite only opportunity.
Summary
Deadline
31 Mar 2026
Complexity
High
Time to apply
60-120 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Grant to support the Centre for Longitudinal Studies in managing ESRC’s life-course cohort portfolio. Ensures continued provision and enhancement of UK longitudinal data for research, policy, and practice. Invite only opportunity.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Not specified
Business size
SME
Industries
Social science research infrastructure. Longitudinal cohort management.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
Invite-only: UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding; lead must meet ESRC centre application requirements. Management and delivery of UK national cohort studies including NCDS, BCS70, MCS and transition of Next Steps. Data collection. Data linkage. Harmonisation. AI integration. Infrastructure transformation.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£29,000,000
Total fund available
£29,000,000
Funding intensity
80% of full economic cost. 100% of exception costs
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Management and delivery of UK national cohort studies including NCDS, BCS70, MCS and transition of Next Steps. Data collection. Data linkage. Harmonisation. AI integration. Infrastructure transformation.
Eligible expenses
- Operational costs of the centre. Mixed mode survey for MCS age 27 sweep. Exception and non exception costs in line with ESRC rules.
Ineligible costs
- Studentships. Research not directly contributing to infrastructure. Costs outside ESRC or UKRI eligibility rules. Duplication of existing infrastructure.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Invite Only
Decision timeline
Assessment expected within three months of submission.
Assessment process
Expert review. Applicant response to reviews. Panel assessment. Interview expected June 2026.
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
- Completed Funding Service application. Resources and cost tables. Organisation statement of support. Project partner letters if applicable.
Assessment criteria
- Vision. Approach. Team capability. Engagement. Data collection. Data enhancement. Cohort maintenance. Impact. Innovation. Governance. Ethics. Data management. EDI. Sustainability. TR&I. Resources.
Decision risks
Funding subject to UKRI budget confirmation. ESRC may reduce, review or terminate funding. Non compliant applications may be rejected.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
3 Feb 2026
Project duration
Four years and three months
Project start
31 Dec 2026
Project end
30 Mar 2031
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Project leads from non UK organisations are not eligible. Non UK project co leads may participate under ESRC policy.
Consortium requirements
- Multi-partner ESRC centre consortium required for longitudinal studies centre award.
Additional guidance
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Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 31 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- £29,000,000
- Funding band
- Large (£5M+)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Mixed
- Industry
- Social science research infrastructure. Longitudinal cohort management.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 22 Feb 2026