News: research and funding
On this page, we report on the latest news about research and funding in the world of socio-legal studies. This can include information from the major UK funders, launches of research projects or research centres, calls for collaboration, in fact, any aspect of academic research that is of interest to socio-legal scholars.
Items will usually be retained for a period of about three months, or until any significant dates have passed.
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Latest research news . . .
Recording: ERC Advice Session: Insights on Applying to the ERC in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Recording: ERC Advice Session: Insights on Applying to the ERC in the Humanities and Social Sciences
The British Academy, in collaboration with the Association of ERC Grantees, hosted a panel with academics who had successfully applied to the European Research Council (ERC). Panellists provided valuable guidance on strengthening applications and maximising success. The ERC application advice panel was chaired by Dr Agnieszka Kubal, University of Oxford. Panellists included Professor Axel Cleeremans, Université Libre de Bruxelles (President, Association of ERC Grantees), Dr Jane Kershaw, University of Oxford and Dr Maan Barua, University of Cambridge: watch the webinar.
British Academy: International Writing Workshops 2025 – call for proposals
The intention of the Writing Workshops is to cultivate professional networks and mentorship and provide access for early career researchers in developing countries to the academic requirements of journals, including international journals, and to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to publish in these journals.
The British Academy is inviting proposals for Writing Workshops in Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam and/or Least Developed Countries. These workshops should aim to develop the skills of early career researchers, including supporting and promoting the uptake of their research in journals and publications. See website for details. Closing date: 17 September 2025.
British Academy Innovation Fellowships 2025–2026: call for applications
The British Academy is inviting applications for funding for policy-led Innovation Fellowships. Through the Innovation Fellowships, researchers in the humanities and social sciences are supported to create new and deeper links beyond academia, enabling knowledge mobilisation and translation, as well as individual skills development. See website for details. Closing date: 6 August 2025.
British Academy International Interdisciplinary Research Projects 2026 – call for proposals
The British Academy is inviting proposals for the next round of its International Interdisciplinary Research programme. Projects will be led by UK-based researchers in the humanities and social sciences working with international partners and wishing to develop genuinely interdisciplinary projects that range across all SHAPE and STEM disciplines on the theme of Transnational and Planetary challenges. See website for details. Closing date: 17 September 2025.
Horizon Europe Pump Priming Collaboration between UK and EU Partners 2025-26
The British Academy, with the support of the Royal Society, the Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Royal Academy of Engineering, invites applications for Horizon Europe Pump Priming.
Proposals are invited from UK and EU/Associated Countries-based researchers to pump prime collaborations to support the effective uptake of the opportunities provided by the UK’s association to Horizon Europe.
Proposals are welcome in all disciplines – engineering, natural sciences, medical and health sciences, humanities, and social sciences. See website for details. Closing date: 11 June 2025.
DARE UK next-generation trusted research environment capabilities: call for applications
Applications are invited to prototype the ‘next generation’ capabilities for federated trusted research environments (TREs) currently missing from the landscape. Applications from across all disciplines and research councils’ remits are welcomed.
DARE UK (Data and Analytics Research Environments UK) is a programme that aims to establish a safe and collaborative network of Trusted Research Environments (TREs) where approved researchers can efficiently access and analyse sensitive data to advance research for public benefit.
See website for details. Closing date: 5 June 2025.
British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants: open for applications
The BA/Leverhulme Small Research Grants are available to support primary research in the humanities and social sciences. These awards, up to £10,000 in value and tenable for up to 24 months, are provided to cover the cost of the expenses arising from a defined research project. See website for details. Closing date: 4 June 2025.
Four Leverhulme Trust funding rounds open
The Leverhulme Trust is inviting applications for the following scheme:
- Research Leadership Awards: closing date 30 May 2025
AHRC Curiosity Awards and Catalyst Awards: open for applications
The AHRC Curiosity Awards and Catalyst Awards opened for applications on 31 January 2025. These are now rolling schemes with no closing date. Follow links for details:
AHRC responsive mode: opportunities to work with researchers in the US, Brazil and Luxembourg
Applications are open for the following responsive mode schemes:
These are all open schemes with no closing date.
AHRC responsive mode: standard research grants
Applications are invited for the AHRC standard research grant scheme. This is an open scheme with no closing date.
UKRI Pre-announcement: Future Leaders Fellowships: round 10
This funding is to support ambitious research and innovation across UKRI’s remit. You must be an early career researcher or innovator who is either: looking to establish or transition to independence; developing your own original and ambitious plans within a commercial setting. See website for details. Closing date: 18 June 2025.