ESRC React Awards (pilot): outline
Funds urgent, co-produced social science research that delivers rapid, actionable outputs to address immediate evidence needs for UK public sector partners.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: October 8, 2026 (outline application closing date)
Funding Amounts: £50,000–£100,000 per project (80% FEC); total fund £1,500,000; up to 6 months duration
Summary: Supports urgent, co-produced social science research with UK public sector partners to address time-critical evidence needs and deliver rapid, actionable outputs.
Key Information: Requires confirmed UK public sector partner able to action outputs within 6 months; applications must be at least 51% social sciences.
Description
This responsive funding opportunity enables researchers to conduct high-quality, time-critical social science research that directly supports UK policymakers or frontline public service practitioners in addressing urgent societal and economic challenges. Projects must be co-produced with at least one UK public sector organisation, which must have a credible plan to implement the research outputs within six months of project completion. The scheme is designed for rapid initiation and delivery, with a streamlined two-stage application and assessment process. At least 51% of the project scope must fall within the social sciences, and outputs are expected to inform immediate public sector decision-making.
