Flexible Funding

The funder’s rules state that “any activity or project supported by the ESRC IAA should be at least 50% within ESRC’s remit”. This means that over 50% of the underpinning research for the projects we fund has to be in the social science disciplines as defined by the ESRC on this link. Please see here for further guidance. 

We welcome applications from academic staff on Teaching and Research contracts 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 have approval from their Head of Department and/or line manager, and ensure that the project is underpinned by social science research (it is not a requirement that the research is related to previous UKRI funding.)

We will consider resubmitted applications. 

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

For more detail about eligibility for all SSIA opportunities, please check our eligibility and review criteria here.

Funding can cover any costs required to enable this project e.g. travel, events, external consultancy, administrative support, equipment, etc. It can also cover PhD support for your workload - please agree the details of this with your Head of Department. Please note that funding does not cover academic conference attendance.

No, primary research, research scoping or co-production activities are not eligible, as per ESRC guidelines for IAA funding.

There is no doubt that engagement with users and stakeholders and co-creation of research plans and outputs leads to stronger impact, and we encourage researchers to do this whenever appropriate however, this funding is for specifically for impact and knowledge exchange activities that are underpinned by existing or ongoing research. 

We encourage collaborations between colleagues, within and across disciplines, however, there must be one accountable event lead named at application stage.

Yes, applicants who have been unsuccessful with previous applications are welcome to reapply. We will provide detailed feedback to help you strengthen future applications.

Your project can develop any type of impact, in any way you wish. You might want to design or scope a new project with impact potential, develop further impact from existing projects or do an activity that develops relationships with new or existing partners. Projects could be:

• Established – A method or approach that is recognised because it has either existed for some time and/or is proven effective or offers high probability of predictable outcomes.
• Innovative – A method or approach that is novel, different or creative, based on untested ideas or techniques that are not yet established. This can include the application of an established method in a new and untested context or audience.
• Scoping – A scoping or pilot project to test the feasibility of a method or approach for future scale or further application.

No. Projects can develop impact from any ongoing or completed social science research and it is not a requirement to be UKRI funded.

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.