ESRC Society Today

The call is now closed.

Applications are invited for bilateral collaborative research proposals under the ESRC Small Grants Scheme or Standard Grants Scheme and the ARC Linkage International scheme (max. AUS$250,000). ESRC proposals may not exceed £200,000 FEC. Proposals were to be submitted to both agencies by 4 June 2008. The terms of the ESRC-ARC agreement for 2008 are significantly different from the general terms, and applicants should note the following carefully:

• For the purposes of this initiative the social sciences are defined as inclusive of the subjects of economics, economic and social history, political science, socio-legal studies, education, psychology, cognitive studies, linguistics, management and business studies, human geography, environmental planning, international studies, area and development studies, social statistics, demography, social science computing, sociology, social anthropology, social policy and social work. 
• The ARC and ESRC will accept counterpart proposals from researchers and eligible research organisations in their respective countries and undertake peer review according to their normal procedures. The two Councils will liaise with each other before reaching their separate funding decisions, with the aim of reaching a common decision. However, each Council also retains the right of final decision on their respective recommendations for funding.
• Applications to the ESRC should be made through the Je-S form to the Bilateral Grants Scheme (Open Call) for standard or small grants, depending on the level of funding requested. In submitting their proposal, applicants should consult the Je-S Guidance (PDF) for bilateral grants.
• Applications to ESRC must be clearly identified as a collaborative proposal by beginning the title field with the words 'Bilateral Australia:'
• The case for support should be written individually according to each Council’s normal rules, but must include a clear explanation of the linkages and synergies between the two projects. The Case for Support in the ESRC application must not exceed the standard grant length limit of 6 pages (note this requirement supersedes the general bilateral limit of 5,000 words).
• CVs for both UK and Australian investigators should be included in the Je-S proposal (not exceeding 2 pages, in accordance with normal ESRC guidelines).  
• While separate applications are submitted to ESRC and ARC, applicants should be conscious of the fact that both agencies aim to support genuinely integrated collaborative research. The importance of the collaboration should therefore be a key component of the application. ESRC will not consider funding UK components of collaborative projects without ARC support for the partner project.       

Any queries can be e-mailed to international@esrc.ac.uk