Northern Ireland Election Study 2026 to 2031
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) · International
Funding to deliver the Northern Ireland Election Study (NIES), producing high-quality, politically independent data on elections, voting behaviour, and political attitudes in Northern Ireland.
Summary
Deadline
14 May 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding to deliver the Northern Ireland Election Study (NIES), producing high-quality, politically independent data on elections, voting behaviour, and political attitudes in Northern Ireland.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Social sciences, political science, data infrastructure
Match funding
Required
Requirements
UK research organisations eligible for ESRC funding; international researchers may participate as project co-leads (international) UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding to lead Northern Ireland Election Study 2026–2031. Large-scale data collection and analysis on elections, voting behaviour, political attitudes, and public opinion in Northern Ireland
Eligible applicants
UK research organisations eligible for ESRC funding; international researchers may participate as project co-leads (international)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£1,500,000
Total fund available
£1,500,000
Funding intensity
ESRC funds 80% of FEC.
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Large-scale data collection and analysis on elections, voting behaviour, political attitudes, and public opinion in Northern Ireland
Eligible expenses
- Staff costs, data collection, processing, dissemination, engagement activities, travel and subsistence
Ineligible costs
- Standard research projects, publications, literature reviews, unrelated conference attendance, studentships
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Expert panel review followed by ESRC funding decision
Application sections
Not specified
Application components
- Project summary, vision, approach, team capability, stakeholder engagement, collaboration, data management, and cost justification
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
- Vision, approach, team capability, ethics, value for money, stakeholder engagement, collaboration, data management
Timeline and partners
Opening date
3 Mar 2026
Project duration
Up to 60 months (to 2031).
Project start
31 Jul 2026
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Allowed
- international collaborators can be included as project co-leads or partners
Consortium requirements
- Research team/consortium as required for longitudinal election study delivery.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Maximum Funding","value":"Up to £1,500,000 (full economic cost)"},{"label":"Funding Structure","value":"ESRC funds 80% of FEC (some subcontracted survey costs funded at 100%)"},{"label":"Key Organisational Requirements","value":"Must deliver a long-term election study (2026–2036 vision); ensure high-quality, representative data; collaborate with UK election studies; engage stakeholders and promote data use"},{"label":"Data Requirements","value":"Must collect post-election surveys for Northern Ireland Assembly and UK general elections; ensure timely publication and open access via UK Data Service"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement, data accessibility, and long-term continuity; funding may extend beyond 2031 subject to performance"}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 14 May 2026
- Funding amount
- £1,500,000
- Funding band
- Mid (£500k-£5M)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Social sciences, political science, data infrastructure
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 3 Mar 2026