The Economic and Social Research Council is set to announce changes to its funding schemes, according to the blog Research Fundermentals. Reporting on an ESRC event in London on 2 June, Phil Ward, research funding manager at the University of Kent, said the council would introduce a mechanism for funding innovative or risky research. This would involve a pilot stage, which, if successful, would be followed by a second stage of funding, said Ward.
According the blog, the council announced that its Centres and Large Grants schemes would have a strong steer towards areas of priority, such as analysing economic performance, influencing behaviour and social mobility. According to Ward, full details of the changes will be made available on the council’s website in the next few weeks.











ECR Opportunities: New Development Programme, Researcher Grants & Upcoming Events
Help us capture BU’s knowledge exchange activity HE-BCI survey 2025–26
Verbal autopsy paper published two days ago
ESRC Studentships for 2027 Entry: Opportunity Now Open
SONAMONI contributions to Safety Conference 2026 in South Africa
Horizon Europe Cluster 3 (Civil Security for Society) 2026 Calls Now Open
MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 Call Information Webinar
ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026: Application Deadline Extended to Thursday 25 June 2026
Reminder: Register for the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026 Information Session
ECR Funding Open Call: Research Culture & Community Grant – Apply now
ERC Advanced Grant 2025 Webinar
Update on UKRO services
European research project exploring use of ‘virtual twins’ to better manage metabolic associated fatty liver disease