ESRC Responsive Mode: New Investigator Grants Round Two

Document research last revised 2026-08-13.

Last Updated

11 May 2026

Project Lead Eligibility

The new investigator must be the project lead. The project lead may be from anywhere in the world and may have a permanent academic post or not, but must be based at an organisation eligible for ESRC funding for the duration of the grant.

International Collaboration Requirement

International collaboration is permitted. Project co-leads based at non-UK research organisations may be included, subject to UKRI eligibility and cost rules. Project leads from non-UK organisations cannot apply for funding under this opportunity.

Business / Third Sector / Government Collaboration

UK-based business, third sector or government body project co-leads can be included where eligible.

Research Category

Social science research, interdisciplinary research and methodological development

Eligible Projects

Projects that support the development of early career researchers as independent research leaders and involve research activities within the ESRC remit.

FEC Range

£100,000 to £350,000 FEC

Maximum Funding

£350,000 FEC

Research Organisation Funding

Host organisations must provide the necessary research environment and infrastructure for award-specific activities, including research facilities, training and staff development.

Third-Party Contributions

Direct and in-kind contributions from third-party project partners are encouraged.

Subcontractors

Not specified

Application Submission

The project lead completes the application through the UKRI Funding Service. The application is then sent to the research office for checking and submission. Only the lead research organisation can submit the application.

Application Summary

Maximum 550 words. Should explain the context, challenge, aims and objectives, and potential applications and benefits.

Vision

Maximum 500 words. Must explain the quality and importance of the research, potential to advance understanding or generate new knowledge, timeliness, potential impact and contribution to the applicant's transition towards research independence.

Approach

Maximum 2,500 words. Must explain how the work will be delivered, including methodology, feasibility, risks, previous work, translation, impact, research environment and the applicant's research and skills development programme.

Applicant and Team Capability

Maximum 1,500 words, including up to 1,000 words for R4RI modules and up to 500 words for optional Additions.

R4RI

Applicants should use the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format to demonstrate relevant skills and contributions of the applicant and team.

Data Management and Sharing

Maximum 500 words where applicable. Applicants generating data must explain how data will be managed and shared in accordance with ESRC's research data policy and relevant ethical requirements.

Facilities

Maximum 250 words. Applicants using facilities or data infrastructure must provide facility details, proposed usage/costs and confirmation of agreement where required.

References

Maximum 1,000 words. References should be included in the dedicated references section rather than throughout the other application questions.

Resources and Cost Justification

Maximum 1,000 words. Applicants must justify significant resources, including project staff, significant fieldwork/collaboration travel, equipment over £25,000, exceptional consumables, facilities/infrastructure and resources costed as Exceptions.

Ethics and RRI

Applicants must address relevant ethical and responsible research considerations and comply with ESRC's Framework for Research Ethics.

Mentor Requirement

A named mentor is mandatory. The mentor must be based at the research organisation where the grant will be held. The mentor should have high academic standing and a strong interest in the applicant's research area and should not normally be the applicant's former PhD supervisor.

Additional Mentor

A second mentor from another organisation may be appointed where appropriate, particularly where suitable expertise is unavailable within the host organisation or the research crosses disciplinary boundaries. The need must be clearly justified.

Mentor Costs

Mentor time cannot be claimed as part of the grant. It must be provided as part of the host institution's contribution.

Career Development Requirement

The application must include a programme of research and skills development tailored to the applicant's research and career goals. It should address areas such as project management, research methods, knowledge exchange, user engagement, impact, networking and research development.

Research Staff Development

Applicants must demonstrate how they will identify, address and monitor the training and development needs of staff employed on the grant.

Highlight Notice

AI for social science is currently a highlight notice for this opportunity. ESRC particularly welcomes applications using AI-powered research tools to address real-world social or economic issues.

AI Highlight Areas

Examples include digital trace or smart data, modelling complex economic and social systems, and AI-driven evidence synthesis.

AI Funding Status

There is no separate or ring-fenced funding for AI highlight applications. They are assessed alongside other applications using the standard responsive mode criteria.

International Research

International applicants, project partners and collaborators may participate subject to UKRI's international collaboration policies.

Project Partners

Project partners may be from industry, academia, the third sector or government organisations in the UK or overseas, including organisations based in the EU.

Project Partner Contributions

Contributions may be direct cash or indirect/in-kind, such as expertise, staff time or use of facilities.

Project Partner Documentation

Named project partners must provide letters or emails of support confirming commitment, value/relevance and additional value brought to the project. Each letter should be no more than one A4 page.

Application Process

Applications undergo independent expert peer review, followed by an application sift and applicant response where sufficiently supportive reviewer comments are received, and then panel assessment.

Peer Review

Experts independently review applications against the specified assessment criteria. Applicants cannot nominate reviewers through the UKRI Funding Service.

Applicant Response

Applicants whose applications receive sufficiently supportive reviewer comments are invited to respond. The response period is 14 calendar days, or 10 working days if that period is longer.

Panel Assessment

Following peer review and applicant response, experts assess the application and rank it against other applications.

Final Decision

ESRC makes the final funding decision.

Interview Stage

No interview stage is specified in the current assessment process. The published process is peer review → applicant response/sift → panel → ESRC decision.

Closing Date Policy

There is no deadline for submission, although a system-generated closing date may appear in the Funding Service because of system requirements. Applicants are advised not to wait for it.

Resubmission Rules

Uninvited resubmissions of projects previously submitted to UKRI are not accepted.

Important Notes

The scheme is specifically intended to help early career researchers transition towards research independence. Applicants must be the project lead, demonstrate their early career status and explain how the award will contribute to their development as an independent researcher.

Current Status Check

Open

Latest Official Update

11 May 2026

Application deadline in source document

Open - no closing date

Official source

Read the funding authority guidance