Opportunities

ESRC React Awards

Apply for responsive funding to generate time-critical research to support policymakers and practitioners delivering frontline services in the UK.

React awards enable time-critical research to support policymakers and practitioners delivering frontline public services in the UK. Researchers must work with public sector partners to respond to emerging and urgent evidence needs and deliver impactful outputs within six months.

Working with government: opportunities for scientists and engineers

Thought about applying your expertise from within the Civil Service? The Government Office for Science has launched a new website to support scientists and engineers exploring Civil Service opportunities.

Explore the new page for practical guidance, case studies, and clear routes to apply your expertise in government – from secondments and advisory roles to fellowships and permanent careers.

Scottish Government’s Social Care Analytical Unit publishes Areas of Research Interest

Responsible for developing and communicating the evidence base for adult social care in Scotland, the Social Care Analytical Unit’s key evidence questions are organised around nine topics, ranging from understanding need, unmet need, prevention, and early intervention in social care to research about community-based social care.

Help answer their key evidence questions and find out about other opportunities to work with them.

Office for Product Safety and Standards publishes Areas of Research Interest

Are you passionate about advancing product safety and driving innovation? The Office for Product Safety and Standards introduces its key evidence questions organised around five themes: Sector Insights; Product Analysis; Business Compliance; Supply Chain Safety; and Consumer Behaviour.

Respond to their call, express interest in participating in their launch, and join their Register of Specialists.

Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills publishes Areas of Research Interest

Are you passionate about improving lives by raising standards in education and children’s social care?

The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills introduces its key evidence questions focusing on: Inclusion; Family, support and stability; Professional learning and development; Artificial intelligence (AI), online harms and digital literacy; Participation and pathways; Post-16 education, training and employment; and Transitions. 

Respond to their call and see how you can work with them. 

Two Administrative Data Research Leads: Better Economic Data and Ministry of Justice Data First programme

Two funding opportunities are open, for Academic Leads, focused on:
• Better Economic Data, working with the Department for Work and Pensions and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. This is an opportunity for a team.
• The Data First programme, working with the Ministry of Justice. This award can be held by one project lead, or one project lead and one project co-lead.

Horizon Scanning for Emerging Technologies: GO Science survey of early-career academics

Are you an early-career researcher looking to inform forward-looking science advice to the government? You can add your perspective to the GO-Science Trend Deck, which sets out evidence-based long-term trends and drivers of change.

This is open to all researchers who are aware of new, developing, or rapidly changing technologies within their own discipline or application area, even if these are not labelled as “emerging tech”.

Climate Change fellowship supporting the Scottish Government

Do you have direct expertise in practical application of behavioural science/behaviour change?

ClimateXChange has an opportunity for a behavioural researcher to support the Scottish Government ‘in-house’ to enhance the use of behavioural science across climate policy and public engagement.