ESRC responsive mode: UKRI-SBE lead agency opportunity round two
This grant funds ambitious, interdisciplinary UK-US social science research projects within ESRC and NSF-SBE remits, supporting innovative studies with significant impact potential.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: Paused (No applications accepted until further notice)
Funding Amounts: UK component: £350,000–£1,000,000 FEC (ESRC funds 80% FEC); project duration up to 5 years; NSF-SBE funds US component per NSF rules.
Summary: Collaborative UK-US funding for ambitious social science research across ESRC and NSF-SBE remits, reviewed through a single process.
Key Information: This opportunity is currently paused and not accepting new applications.
Description
This funding opportunity supports collaborative research proposals between UK and US-based researchers in any area within the remits of both the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the National Science Foundation's Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences Directorate (NSF-SBE). Projects must have a majority social science focus (over 50%) and can cover basic, applied, or strategic research, including ambitious and innovative projects with potential for significant scientific, societal, or economic impact. The scheme encourages interdisciplinarity and knowledge exchange, supporting standard research, methodological development, and large-scale surveys or infrastructures. Proposals are reviewed through a single process, with ESRC funding the UK component and NSF-SBE funding the US component.
Important: As of May 2026, this opportunity is paused and not accepting new applications until further notice.
