ESRC 2026
About this scholarship
ESRC supports social science research training in the United Kingdom, mainly through funded PhD studentships and some postdoctoral fellowships delivered via doctoral training partnerships.
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the United Kingdom's main public funder for social science research and training. It operates under UK Research and Innovation and supports doctoral researchers and early career researchers primarily through Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) and doctoral training centres hosted by UK universities.
For students, ESRC funding most commonly appears as a fully funded PhD studentship in the social sciences or in interdisciplinary projects with a strong social science component. Reference postings show awards offered through partnerships such as the Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) and the Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership. Some calls also exist for postdoctoral fellowships aimed at researchers in the immediately postdoctoral stage who want to strengthen publications, networks, and professional skills.
Typical ESRC doctoral funding can include full tuition fees, a tax-free stipend at the UKRI minimum rate, and a Research Training Support Grant. Some projects may also include placements or collaborative training opportunities. In the postings provided, international students were eligible for some awards, and some explicitly stated that successful candidates would not be charged the difference between home and international tuition fees.
Eligibility usually requires a strong academic background, commonly a first-class or upper second-class honours degree or equivalent, and in some cases a relevant master's degree or equivalent experience. ESRC-funded projects are often open to applicants from non-traditional backgrounds where they can demonstrate appropriate preparation. English language evidence may be required for applicants who do not already meet institutional language standards.
Applications are generally made through the host university or DTP, not through a single central ESRC application portal. Available projects, pathways, eligibility rules, and deadlines vary by partnership and institution, so applicants should check the specific university or DTP call carefully before applying.
Eligibility
Who can apply for this scholarship
Typically for applicants pursuing social science doctoral research in the United Kingdom through an ESRC doctoral training partnership or, for fellowship schemes, for researchers in the immediate postdoctoral stage. Common entry expectations in the reference postings include a first-class or upper second-class honours degree or equivalent, and sometimes a relevant master's degree or comparable experience. Some calls welcome applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds. International and European applicants may be eligible, but must satisfy the relevant UKRI, DTP, and university eligibility rules for the specific award.
Requirements
Documents typically needed to apply
Language requirements
English language proficiency required where applicable; some project postings specify meeting the host university's English entry requirement. Examples in related funded projects commonly include IELTS evidence, but the exact requirement depends on the university.
Where you can use this
Open positions accepting ESRC.
