Grant opportunity
Economic Research on the Returns to R&D Investment
Upcoming ESRC funding for research that improves evidence on the social and economic returns to public and private R&D investment.
- Funder
- Economic and Social Research Council
- Applications close 19 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time
- Applications close 19 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time: Nov 19, 2026
- Award
- Up to GBP 308,000 per award; GBP 2.46 million total fund
- Applicant
- UK research organisations eligible for UKRI funding, with teams able to deliver empirical, quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods research on the returns to R&D investment.
- Discipline
- Economics, Metascience and Research Policy
- Region
- United Kingdom
- Posted
- Aug 31, 2026
Call summary
Overview
This UK Metascience Unit-backed opportunity asks researchers to strengthen how R&D returns are measured and understood across sectors, places, technologies and funding mechanisms.
Who can apply
Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding and should build a proposal that fits the ESRC and UK Metascience Unit scope.
What it supports
- Measuring social and economic returns to R&D
- Public and private investment effects
- Evidence for research and innovation policy
Funding and duration
- Total fund of GBP 2.46 million
- Maximum award of GBP 308,000
Applications close 19 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time
Applications close 19 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time: Nov 19, 2026
How to apply
Prepare the application for the UKRI Funding Service after the opportunity opens on 10 September 2026.
Call details
Source-based overview
The call supports innovative research into the 'Griliches Question' of how returns to R&D should be defined, measured and compared. Proposals may use quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods where they fill evidence gaps and can support more informed public policy and investment decisions.
Eligibility
Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding and should build a proposal that fits the ESRC and UK Metascience Unit scope.
Funding and benefits
Total fund of GBP 2.46 million
Maximum award of GBP 308,000
Themes and supported activities
Measuring social and economic returns to R&D
Public and private investment effects
Evidence for research and innovation policy
Deadline and timeline
Applications close 19 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time: Applications close 19 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time: Nov 19, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Prepare the application for the UKRI Funding Service after the opportunity opens on 10 September 2026.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.