Economic and Social Research Council

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's leading agency for research funding and training in economic and social sciences.

The ESRC’s role is:

• To promote and support, by any means, high-quality basic, strategic and applied research and related postgraduate training in the social sciences
• To advance knowledge and provide trained social scientists who meet the needs of users and beneficiaries, thereby contributing to the economic competitiveness of the United Kingdom, the effectiveness of public services and policy, and the quality of life
• To provide advice on, and disseminate, knowledge; and promote public understanding of the social sciences

Research and Funding

The council's wide research remit falls under seven themes:

• Economic Performance and Development
• Environment and Human Behaviour
• Governance and Citizenship
• Knowledge, Communication and Learning
• Lifecourse, Lifestyles and Health
• Social Stability and Exclusion
• Work and Organisations

Around £200 million is spent each year supporting social science researchers, institutions and postgraduate students, from across the UK and abroad.

One way to apply for funding is through flexible research grants. These grants are for between £15,000 to £1.5 million per for research on any topic within the council's research remit of:

Some grants are awarded through calls. There are larger grants of up to £5 million for long-term, global-impact projects and calls for new researchers, professorial fellowships and research seminar grants. 

For the majority of funding schemes, co-investigators from anywhere in the world can be included in the project.

More information at www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/opportunities/