Doctoral focal award plus: innovating in data-driven research (Grant)
UK Research and Innovation, Economic and Social Research Council
Award
Up to £5.85m
Total fund Up to £5.85m
Deadline
Closes 14 October 2026
Where
UK-wide
Summary
We are commissioning one doctoral focal award plus to develop a cadre of social scientists from doctoral studentships and across career stages with the skills needed to use data-driven research approaches in innovative ways. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding.
Who can apply
This opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility. Check if your organisation is eligible . You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding and have the infrastructure in place to provide postgraduate training. Project lead and project co-leads Organisations can only apply as the project lead on one application but can be a co-lead or project partner on any number of applications. The lead organisation will act as the training grant holder. The project lead organisation and any project co-lead organisations will host the studentships and act as the principle base organisation for students. You may apply as a single-institution or a multi-institution consortium. Within a single-institution application, the project lead will be the only hosting organisation. For multi-institution applications, you should identify one of the organisations as the project lead. The project lead does not have to be an organisation with doctoral research degree awarding powers, but an organisation with these powers must be present within your consortium. In addition, where organisations without doctoral research degree awarding powers are hosting studentships, formal agreements must be in place from the start of the award with another relevant organisation with these powers. Identification of the project lead should not be interpreted as recognition as the dominant partner or where the majority of studentships will be hosted. While only one project lead can be included on the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service, UKRI welcomes applications that reflect flexible and joint leadership models. Partnerships must show a clear and joint strategy for delivering their vision and fostering the growth and maturation of collaborations over the funding period. Project partners Organisations that are not eligible for UKRI funding may act as project partners on your application. Information regarding the nature of these collaborations must be included within your application in the project partners section. Any organisation acting as a project partner may do so on any number of applications as long as they are able to support them if funded. Organisations which are eligible for UKRI funding but will not provide the principal base (host) for students during the award may also be named as project partners. An organisation cannot act as both a project lead (or co-lead) and a project partner in the same application. We welcome applications to include a wide range of project partner organisations contributing to research and training within the scope of this funding opportunity. This can include, but is not limited to: universities that are not leading or co-leading the proposal businesses of all scales public sector organisations, such as public sector research establishments and government at all levels, including devolved administrations third sector organisations voluntary, community and social enterprise other key stakeholders across the research and innovation landscape Your application must demonstrate that there is significant added value from any project partners you choose to form part of your consortia. This may include, but is not limited to: other collaborative studentships placements for students training for students, researchers, or both access to facilities, equipment, or both financial commitments to partially, or fully, fund additional studentships commitment to cover the costs of access to facilities or training that cannot otherwise be provided strategic links to an important stakeholder or user There is no limit to the total number of organisations you may include within your application. However, each member of the consortia must make meaningful contributions to the delivery of the training grant, as outlined in your application. Equality, diversity and inclusion We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers. We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes: career breaks support for people with caring responsibilities flexible working alternative working patterns UKRI can offer disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders during the application and assessment process. Remit Complete and submit the remit query form , if you are unsure whether your proposed training falls within the remit of ESRC.
Full details
We are commissioning one doctoral focal award plus to develop a cadre of social scientists from doctoral studentships and across career stages with the skills needed to use data-driven research approaches in innovative ways. It will deliver both doctoral training and targeted training and capacity-building activities. Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) will contribute a maximum of £5.85 million. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding.