Centre for Longitudinal Studies

Application Competitiveness: Invite only competition.

Application Complexity: High. Requires module based submission and detailed financial breakdown.

Application Effort: Full proposal required. Multiple structured modules. Detailed cost tables required.

Application Platform: UKRI Funding Service

Assessment Areas: Vision. Approach. Team capability. Engagement. Data collection. Data enhancement. Cohort maintenance. Impact. Innovation. Governance. Ethics. Data management. EDI. Sustainability. TR&I. Resources.

Assessment Process: Expert review. Applicant response to reviews. Panel assessment. Interview expected June 2026.

Decision Risks: Funding subject to UKRI budget confirmation. ESRC may reduce, review or terminate funding. Non compliant applications may be rejected.

Decision Timeline: Assessment expected within three months of submission.

Eligibility Criteria: Invite only. Must be invited by ESRC. Organisation must meet standard UKRI eligibility.

Eligible Activities: 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.

Funding Rate: 80% of full economic cost. 100% of exception costs

Funding Structure: Grant funding. 80% FEC for non exception costs. 100% for exception costs. At least £7 million of non exception costs must be time bound.

Governance Requirements: Management Board oversight. Quarterly reporting. Annual reporting. End of award report required. Advisory groups required.

Important Notes: Invite only. Application cannot be amended after submission. Projects must follow ESRC data policy and research ethics framework. Unused funds may be recovered by UKRI.

Ineligible Expenses: Studentships. Research not directly contributing to infrastructure. Costs outside ESRC or UKRI eligibility rules. Duplication of existing infrastructure.

International Eligibility: Project leads from non UK organisations are not eligible. Non UK project co leads may participate under ESRC policy.

Key Requirements: Deliver life course data across generations. Implement ESRC Cohorts Review actions. Integrate AI responsibly. Allocate at least 30% of non exception costs to time bound activities. Maintain strong governance and financial oversight.

Match Funding Requirement: No additional institutional match required beyond standard 20% FEC.

Project Duration: Four years and three months

Project End Date: 2031-03-31 00:00:00

Project Start Date: 2027-01-01 00:00:00

Publication Date: 2026-02-23 00:00:00

Renewal Rules: Not specified

Required Application Documents: Completed Funding Service application. Resources and cost tables. Organisation statement of support. Project partner letters if applicable.

Total Funding Available: £29,000,000 full economic cost