There are two new opportunities, launched alongside a revised opportunity, that will meet the needs of the research community in a clearer pathway.
New and refreshed opportunities
Curiosity awards
In July 2023, AHRC launched a new flexible award to fund fundamental research, networking activity and idea generation, which enables the development of further research opportunities and new research agendas. These awards will support teams, networks and solo researchers.
The scheme is intentionally flexible, indicative examples of the activities we will fund include:
- idea generation
- seed corn funding
- high risk or high potential concepts
- novel research
- networking activity
- partnership-building
- knowledge exchange
- public engagement
- international collaboration
- scoping and piloting, for example, early-stage proof of concept for ideas or change of direction, pivots in research focus at any career stage
International co-investigators are supported.
Funding available will be for projects with a total cost up to £100,000 and a duration of up to five years.
For further details see the UKRI funding finder.
Catalyst awards
In July 2023, AHRC launched awards to fund researchers without prior experience of leading a significant research project to accelerate their trajectory as independent researchers to unlock their potential and build leadership and convenor experience.
The awards will provide applicants with an opportunity to support their own skill development and the skill development of research staff employed on the award.
Specific eligibility criteria apply to principal investigators, as outlined on the UKRI funding finder.
Funding available will be for projects with a total cost between £100,000 and £300,000 and a duration of up to five years.
For further details see the UKRI funding finder.
Research grants (standard route)
AHRC have increased the upper funding limit from £1 million to £1.5 million (100% full economic cost) to support more ambitious projects and enhanced team development, as well as accommodate the increased costs of research.
Funding available will be for projects between £300,000 and £1.5 million. The lower funding limit has been increased from £50,000 to £300,000, as the new catalyst and curiosity opportunities offer support to projects below £300,000.
The three new pathways are designed to meet the changing needs of our researchers in a clear and coherent suite of responsive mode opportunities, which means that we will close some of our current opportunities.
Follow-on funding for impact and engagement
This opportunity remained unchanged in 2023, but in July 2024 it was paused while a review is conducted of the scheme.
Opportunities closed
Research grants (early career route)
The core aims and objectives of the existing targeted early career route will transfer to and be incorporated within the new curiosity and catalyst awards opportunities, offering more flexibility for sole-scholar and collaborative research.
The early career route closed on 29 March 2023.
Research development and engagement fellowships
The aims and objectives of this scheme have been incorporated within the new curiosity and catalyst awards opportunities.
This opportunity closed on 29 March 2023.
Research networking
The aims and objectives of this opportunity have been incorporated within the new curiosity awards opportunity, and closed to applications on 29 June 2023.
