ESRC Society Today

Research Funding

Of our planned expenditure (£203 million in 2008/09) nearly two thirds is spent on research and just under one third on training. In any one year we fund more than 2,000 students ensuring future generations of skilled social scientists. Our research funding schemes enable individuals and groups to pursue world-class research in academic institutions and independent research centres throughout the UK. This can be through our research centres and groups, fellowships, research grants, programme and networks or research resources.

This section contains all the current information required for those wishing to make an application for ESRC research funding or training, including:

• a summary of current funding opportunities for research and postgraduate support;
• information on how to apply for funding and the process by which your application will be assessed;
• a guide to research funding and the postgraduate training guidelines, see our online Funding Guidelines;
• information on forthcoming and potential funding opportunities;
• commissioning updates;
• currently recognised departments and outlets for ESRC Studentships.           

These are just some of the areas covered in this section, we hope that it provides both informative and accessible.  Further information on how to apply for ESRC research funding or postgraduate training can be found in the How Do I... section.