ESRC

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the United Kingdom's leading funder of economic and social science research outside the health domain. It supports research, training, and data resources across universities and research institutes to expand knowledge and inform policy and practice.

Established in 1965, ESRC funds a broad program of research in economics, sociology, demography, political science, psychology, geography, and related fields. Its work covers basic, applied, and policy-relevant research, often in collaboration with government departments, business, and civil society.

Since 2018, ESRC has been part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a non-departmental public body of the UK government. ESRC is funded by the government and operates through grant funding, fellowships, and major strategic investments aimed at developing research capability and delivering impact.

Its funding mechanisms include standard research grants, early- and mid-career fellowships, and doctoral training partnerships (DTPs) and Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) to train the next generation of researchers.

Its data and infrastructure portfolio includes the UK Data Service, which provides access to large-scale social and economic data and supports data-intensive research with curated resources and documentation.

ESRC emphasizes research impact and international collaboration, working with policymakers, industry, and academia to translate findings into economic and social benefits and to strengthen evidence-based decision making.

Overall, ESRC plays a central role in shaping the UK's social science landscape, supporting high-quality research, training, and data infrastructure to address major societal challenges.