Future data services sandpit: transforming discovery and access
Funds collaborative projects to transform how social science data is discovered, accessed, and used via innovative enhancements to ESRC’s existing data service infrastructures.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: July 16, 2026 (Expression of Interest) | December 3, 2026 (Full Proposal)
Funding Amounts: £21.6 million total (5–10 projects); 80% FEC funded; projects 24–48 months
Summary: Supports collaborative, innovative projects to transform discovery, access, and use of social science data through improvements to ESRC’s data service infrastructures.
Description
This opportunity invites researchers to participate in a four-day hybrid sandpit to co-develop ambitious projects aimed at revolutionizing how social science data is discovered, accessed, and used within the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)’s existing data service infrastructures. The program seeks transformative, technology-enabled solutions (including AI and automation) that enhance—not duplicate—current infrastructures, focusing on data discovery, sensitive data access, workforce upskilling, and technological innovation. Projects must be collaborative, involve co-design with the research community, and partner with existing ESRC social science data service investments, contributing to a seamless, federated, user-centric data ecosystem.
