Eligibility & review criteria

Eligibility

We welcome applications from researchers working in any social science discipline, at all career stages. We are keen to support Early Career Researchers (ECRs) staff whenever possible. We welcome multidisciplinary teams/proposals that are social science led.

Before applying, academic staff need to:

• check their contract type is eligible for the opportunity.
  • Training and networking events – open to all
  • Festival of Social Science – open to all
  • ECR staff public engagement bursaries – open to all
  • Residencies – open to all
  • Open innovation (or regional projects) – Teaching & Research, and Professional Practice contracts only
  • Flexible funding – Teaching & Research contracts only
  • PhD Studentship – Teaching & Research contracts only
• have approval from their Head of Department and/or line manager
• ensure that the project is underpinned by social science research (it is not a requirement that the research is related to previous UKRI funding.)

PhD students are eligible for events and training, public engagement bursaries, and placements. You must have approval from your supervisor and have at least 6 months until your submission deadline (you would not be eligible if you have submitted your thesis).

We will consider resubmitted applications. 

Preference will be given to people who haven't already been awarded SSIA funding. 

Review criteria 

In the review process, the panel will take the below criteria into account.

• The proposed initiative clearly articulates ‘a challenge or opportunity to be addressed’.
• The proposed initiative builds on the applicant’s past or current social science research.
• The proposed initiative demonstrates the potential for achieving change for non-academic beneficiaries.
• The applicant’s plan to spend the funding is clear, credible and feasible within given timeframe, and offers good value for money.
• There is a high-quality plan to gather evidence of outcomes and impact.
• The initiative sets the foundation for long-term sustainable impact beyond the duration of the activity.
• The applicant clearly articulates their motivation to develop their impact and engagement skills.

Strengths and weaknesses from the latest round of applications

Strengths:

• The project is presented as an ongoing collaboration between the academic and the partner organisation(s) rather than a discreet piece of work.

• There is a strong case for why this project specifically has the potential for long-lasting impact, who can benefit from it, and how.

• The funding plan has been well thought through, with consideration of the academic’s own workload/teaching schedule and opportunities to outsource certain project elements such as communications or marketing resources where relevant.

Weaknesses:

• The application is research-focused, rather than impact-focused. For example, it includes gathering data, attending conferences, or proposes to use funds for the production of academic outputs (journal articles, reports).

• The project is not social-science led.

• It is not clear why the proposed outputs will lead to impact, for example, how they will be shared or used, and by whom.