ESRC New Investigator Grants

Opportunity status:  Open - no closing date

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This opportunity supports researchers at the start of their careers to enable their transition to become independent researchers through gaining experience of managing and leading research projects and teams.

It also provides an opportunity for them to support their own skill development, and that of any research staff employed on the grant.

You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding.

Proposals can draw from the wider sciences, but the social sciences must represent more than 50% of the research focus and effort.

The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can range from £100,000 to £300,000. ESRC will fund 80% of the FEC.

We are pleased to invite proposals for our New Investigator Grants. New Investigator Grants form one element of our support for early career researchers and the scheme is specifically aimed at supporting those looking to make the transition to an independent researcher through managing their first major research project. These grants replace our Future Research Leaders scheme.

The call is open to high-quality candidates from anywhere in the world who have a maximum of four years’ postdoctoral experience and the support of an eligible UK research organisation. Grants ranging from £100,000 to £300,000 full Economic Cost (fEC) can be awarded.

Proposals are welcomed across the full disciplinary range of the social sciences and at the interface with the wider sciences, however the social sciences must represent at least 50 per cent of the research focus and effort.

The call will operate alongside ESRC’s Research Grants open call and you can submit proposals at any time - there are no fixed closing dates. We aim to announce the majority of decisions within 26 weeks of receiving the proposal although we cannot guarantee this, since it is dependent on receiving sufficient good quality peer review comments within the necessary timescale.

Who can apply

Before applying for funding, check the Eligibility of your organisation.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has introduced new role types for funding opportunities being run on the new UKRI Funding Service.

For full details, visit Eligibility as an individual.

Who is eligible to apply

This opportunity is for early career researchers. As part of your application, you must articulate why you should be considered an early career researcher and how the award of a new investigator grant will have a demonstrable impact on your trajectory to becoming an independent researcher.

The ‘new investigator’ must be the project lead who submits the application. The project lead for this funding opportunity can be:

• from anywhere in the world
• with or without a permanent academic post

However, you must be based at an organisation eligible for ESRC funding for the duration of the grant.

Project co-leads are permitted on this opportunity and encouraged for interdisciplinary applications or where a project co-lead would provide specific technical expertise that is essential to the project. However, it must be clear that the project lead is responsible for leading the project.

See the ESRC research funding guide for further information on eligibility and associated costs that can be included on ESRC grants.

Who is not eligible to apply

You cannot apply for funding if:

• you are not an early career researcher
• you already hold a professorship
• you are a current or former project lead on ESRC or other UKRI grants, except ESRC postdoctoral fellowships

International applicants

Project leads from non-UK organisations are not eligible to apply for funding for this opportunity.

Project co-leads based in non-UK research organisations can be included in research grant applications. Read the project co-lead (international) policy guidance for details of eligible organisations and costs.

Business, third sector or government body project co-leads

Business, third sector or government body project co-leads based in the UK can also be included on research grant proposals as a project co-lead. Read Including project co-leads from business, third sector or government bodies for details of eligible organisations and costs.

Resubmissions

We will not accept uninvited resubmissions of projects that have been submitted to UKRI.

Find out more about ESRC’s resubmissions policy.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.

We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:

• career breaks
• support for people with caring responsibilities
• flexible working
• alternative working patterns

Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at UKRI.