ESRC Applicant-led Explore Awards

Source-based overview

ESRC Applicant-led Explore Awards is a pre-announced research grant from ESRC / UKRI. £300,000–£2 million awards for ambitious curiosity-driven social science. It focuses on Social science; curiosity-driven research; methods innovation and is relevant to United Kingdom. The recorded deadline or key date is Published 8 Sep 2026; opens 5 Nov 2026. Applicants should review the official page for the complete eligibility rules, required documents, assessment criteria, funding conditions, deadline time zone and submission route.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants and locations: United Kingdom. Confirm any institutional, citizenship, career-stage and partnership requirements on the official call page.

Funding and benefits

£300,000–£2 million awards for ambitious curiosity-driven social science.

Themes and supported activities

Social science; curiosity-driven research; methods innovation

Pre-announced Research Grant

United Kingdom

Deadline and timeline

Published 8 Sep 2026; opens 5 Nov 2026: Published 8 Sep 2026; opens 5 Nov 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

Open the official call page, confirm the current requirements and deadline time zone, prepare the requested documents and submit through the funder or organiser's stated route.

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.