Metascience Research Grants: Round 2
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), delivered jointly through AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, NERC and STFC. (UK Research and Innovation) · United Kingdom
Grant funding for cutting-edge metascience research to improve how research and development (R&D) is conducted, funded and supported. Supports research on AI in science, research organisation design and leadership, and scientometric approaches to research excellence, efficiency and equity. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
23 Apr 2026
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Grant funding for cutting-edge metascience research to improve how research and development (R&D) is conducted, funded and supported. Supports research on AI in science, research organisation design and leadership, and scientometric approaches to research excellence, efficiency and equity. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Research and innovation; metascience; science policy; higher education; research management. (UK Research and Innovation)
Match funding
No match funding beyond the host organisation's required 20% FEC contribution. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible applicants
Project lead must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding. Only the lead research organisation may submit the application through the UKRI Funding Service. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Full Economic Cost (FEC) up to £250,000 for UK-only projects, or £350,000 where there is an eligible international project co-lead. Additional funding above £250,000 must only support international partner costs. (UK Research and Innovation)
Total fund available
£6,000,000. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding intensity
Standard UKRI grant funded at 80% FEC. International partner costs above £250,000 must relate solely to international project elements. (UK Research and Innovation)
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Projects must fit one of three themes: Science of AI for Science, Effective Design and Leadership of Research Organisations, or Scientometric Approaches to Understanding Research Excellence, Efficiency and Equity. Research should generate evidence to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and inclusivity of the R&D ecosystem. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible expenses
- Costs permitted under the UKRI Research Funding Guide and standard FEC rules. (UK Research and Innovation)
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service. (UK Research and Innovation)
Competitiveness
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Decision timeline
Funding decisions expected within three months of submission. (UK Research and Innovation)
Assessment process
Eligibility check, distributed peer review, panel assessment and final funding decision by UKRI. Portfolio balancing may be applied. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application sections
- Summary, Vision, Approach, Applicant and Team Capability, Ethics and RRI, Resources and Cost Justification, Data Management, Facilities, TR&I, International Collaboration. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Failure to complete distributed peer review requirements results in automatic rejection. Funding decisions may also reflect portfolio balance. (UK Research and Innovation)
Timeline and partners
Opening date
12 Feb 2026
Project duration
6 to 24 months. (UK Research and Innovation)
Project start
1 Dec 2026
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT); Coefficient Giving. (UK Research and Innovation)
Collaboration rules
- Collaboration is encouraged but not mandatory. International collaborations are strongly encouraged. (UK Research and Innovation)
Consortium requirements
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-07-30.
Grant Name
Metascience Research Grants: Round 2
Minimum Award
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Latest Project Start Date
1 December 2026. (Updated from 1 October 2026.) (UK Research and Innovation)
International Eligibility
International researchers may participate as Project Co-Lead (International). Other overseas collaborators should be included as project partners. International collaboration is strongly encouraged. (UK Research and Innovation)
Data Management Requirement
A Data Management and Sharing Plan is required. Data should be archived where appropriate in line with UKRI policy. (UK Research and Innovation)
Ethics Requirement
Projects must comply with the UKRI Framework for Research Ethics and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). (UK Research and Innovation)
Trusted Research Requirement
Applicants must consider UKRI Trusted Research and Innovation guidance where applicable. (UK Research and Innovation)
Project Partner Documents
Project partner letters of support required where project partners are included. (UK Research and Innovation)
Key Requirements
Applicants must address one of the three programme themes, participate in distributed peer review, submit all required reviews, and attend programme events if funded. (UK Research and Innovation)
Important Notes
Applicants may be invited to review up to 10 other proposals as part of the distributed peer review process. Applications cannot be amended after submission. Applicants may also apply separately to the UKRI Metascience Scientometrics Sandpit. (UK Research and Innovation)
Webinar
Applicant webinar held on 24 March 2026; recording and Q&A published by UKRI. (UK Research and Innovation)
Contact Email
metascience@ukri.org (for remit enquiries). (UK Research and Innovation)
Official Grant Page
https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/metascience-research-grants-round-2/ (UK Research and Innovation)
Application deadline in source document
23 April 2026 at 4:00pm UK time. (UK Research and Innovation)
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 23 Apr 2026
- Funding amount
- Full Economic Cost (FEC) up to £250,000 for UK-only projects, or £350,000 where there is an eligible international project co-lead. Additional funding above £250,000 must only support international partner costs. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Research and innovation; metascience; science policy; higher education; research management. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 12 Feb 2026