Metascience research grants: round two
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) · United Kingdom
Grant funding for cutting edge metascience research. Focus on improving how research and development is conducted, funded and supported. Includes impact of AI, research organisation design and scientometric evaluation.
Summary
Deadline
23 Apr 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Grant funding for cutting edge metascience research. Focus on improving how research and development is conducted, funded and supported. Includes impact of AI, research organisation design and scientometric evaluation.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Research and innovation. Metascience.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
Must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding. Only lead research organisation can submit. UK research organisation eligible for participating UKRI council funding; cross-council metascience research proposals. Projects must fit one of three themes. Science of AI for Science. Effective design and leadership of research organisations. Scientometric approaches to research ...
Eligible applicants
Must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding. Only lead research organisation can submit.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Up to £350,000
Total fund available
£6,000,000
Funding intensity
80% of full economic cost.
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Projects must fit one of three themes. Science of AI for Science. Effective design and leadership of research organisations. Scientometric approaches to research excellence and equity.
Eligible expenses
- Costs compliant with ESRC Research Funding Guide. Resources justified under FEC rules.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under metascience research grants round 2 terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Assessment expected within three months of submission.
Assessment process
Eligibility check. Distributed peer review. Final funding decision by UKRI. Portfolio approach may be applied.
Application sections
- Summary. Vision. Approach. Applicant and team capability. Ethics and RRI. Resources and cost justification. Data management. Facilities. TR&I. International collaboration.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications outside scope will be rejected. Failure to complete distributed peer review leads to automatic rejection. Funding subject to portfolio balance.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
12 Feb 2026
Project duration
6 to 24 months.
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
- DSIT. Coefficient Giving
Collaboration rules
- International researchers may apply as project co lead international. International collaborators allowed.
- Collaboration encouraged but not mandatory.
Consortium requirements
- Single lead or collaborations per metascience round 2 guidance.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Funding Structure","value":"Grant funding at 80% FEC. Host institution funds remaining 20%."},{"label":"Data Management Requirement","value":"Must comply with UKRI research data policy. Data management plan required. Data to be archived where applicable."},{"label":"Ethics Requirement","value":"Must comply with UKRI Framework for Research Ethics. Responsible research and innovation considerations required."},{"label":"Trusted Research Requirement","value":"Must address Trusted Research and Innovation principles if applicable."},{"label":"Project Partner Documentation","value":"Project partner details required if applicable. Single PDF of letters of support required."},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Must clearly state theme. Must participate in distributed peer review. Failure to submit required reviews results in automatic rejection. Must attend cohort events if funded."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"By applying, applicant agrees to review up to 10 other proposals. Application cannot be amended after submission. International partner costs above £250,000 must relate only to international elements."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 23 Apr 2026
- Funding amount
- Up to £350,000
- Funding band
- Mid (£500k-£5M)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Research and innovation. Metascience.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 11 Feb 2026