ESRC Highlight Notice for Embedding Methodological Development in Social Science Research
This ESRC opportunity aims to maximise the impact of the adaptations and innovations that occurred across a range of methodologies during the pandemic by providing an opportunity for researchers to consolidate and refine methodological approaches to ensure they represent good practice and are accessible widely across social science research.
Proposals funded through this highlight notice will refine methodological approaches developed since March 2020 to enable them to be fully embedded in research practice, maximising their contribution to social science research. Many of the adaptations and innovations that occurred across a range of methodologies during the pandemic will offer long-term benefits to the community.
Proposals must identify:
- The methodological development that is the focus of the proposal
- When the methodological development took place
- The original research need, problem or question the methodological development was designed to address
- How and why this methodological approach was innovative
- How the methodological development continues to addresses an ongoing research need, noting the additional value of the novel method beyond the independent research organisation or research organisation community where relevant
- What further work is needed to embed the approach in research practice.
ESRC expect applicants to explicitly justify all of these areas within the relevant section in their case for support.
Innovative, cross-sector and cross-disciplinary approaches are encouraged. Proposals can draw from the wider sciences, but the social sciences must represent at least 50% of the research focus and effort.
Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding.
The full economic cost of the project can range from £350,000 to £1 million. ESRC will fund 80% of the full economic cost.
Funding is available for up to three years. Projects can start from 1 May 2023 and must start no later than 1 July 2023.
Applications must be submitted online via the Joint Electronic Submission system (Je-S) by the deadline of 25 October 2022 (4pm UK time).
Further information can be found here: Embedding methodological development in social science research: 2022 – UKRI