The Scheme in detail:
What is the Research Grants Scheme?
If you have an excellent idea for a research project, the best way to seek funding for it is through the Research Grants Scheme. Awards ranging from £15,000 to £1.5 million (100 per cent FEC) can be made to eligible institutions to enable individuals or research teams to undertake anything from a small project through to a large-scale survey and other infrastructure or methodological development. There is considerable flexibility when it comes to subject area, too. As long as you always make sure that your suggested topic falls within ESRC's remit, you are free to concentrate on any research area. Applications may be submitted under the Scheme at any time - there are no fixed closing dates, however, guidance is provided below on how long you should allow from submission to decision. This gives the Council the flexibility to respond rapidly to the latest developments in the academic world and society more generally. Applications must be submitted using the Je-S system.
What's the difference between the standard and small grants scheme?
If your proposal requires funding of more than £100,000 (100 per cent FEC), it will be considered under the Standard Grants Scheme. The majority of decisions are announced within 22 weeks.
Your application is first assessed by Research Directorate (RD) staff for eligibility and then sent to an average of five relevant referees. Your application is then graded before our Research Grants Board makes a decision on funding.
For applications of less than £100,000 (100 per cent FEC) we offer a streamlined Small Grants Scheme. Funding decisions are usually made within 14 weeks. Your application is first assessed by RD staff for eligibility. A member of the Research Grants Board and one member of the Council's Virtual Research College assess your application. The Board Chair or Vice Chair makes the funding decision with the help of these assessments.
What are the basic funding criteria?
Funding decisions are based on four key criteria:
- Scientific quality
- Timeliness
- Track record of applicants
- Value for money
Applications may be for basic research or more applied research topics. For those applications on more applied topics, the Research Grants Board will also consider their value to potential users, outside of the research community.
The ESRC is very keen to encourage fresh ideas from promising new researchers, and the Research Grants Board therefore accepts appropriate proposals from young researchers and those with limited research experience. If you fit into this category, you should seek advice from more experienced researchers and consider involving them in your project; you may also wish to consider applying for a smaller sum in the first instance.
The content and quality of the application you submit to the ESRC will determine whether or not you are successful. Therefore it is vital that you have a full understanding of what is required, as well as knowing the various stages of the application process, so that you maximise your chances of gaining an award. We offer guidance notes on How to write a good application.