British Election Study 2027 to 2032
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) · United Kingdom
Funding opportunity to run the British Election Study (BES) between 2027 and 2037, including delivery of data collection for the anticipated 2029 UK General Election in Great Britain and surveys aligned to local elections. Initial funding covers delivery up to 2032.
Summary
Deadline
14 May 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding opportunity to run the British Election Study (BES) between 2027 and 2037, including delivery of data collection for the anticipated 2029 UK General Election in Great Britain and surveys aligned to local elections. Initial funding covers delivery up to 2032.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Academic and research institutions conducting political, electoral and social science data infrastructure work
Match funding
Needs verification
Requirements
UK research organisations eligible for ESRC funding; organisations based overseas may apply; international researchers may apply as Project Co-Lead (International) Project lead must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding. Consultation with stakeholders; data collection, processing and publication; promoting use and impact of data; preparatory activities for period up t...
Eligible applicants
UK research organisations eligible for ESRC funding; organisations based overseas may apply; international researchers may apply as Project Co-Lead (International)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Up to £4,900,000 (full economic cost)
Total fund available
£4,900,000
Funding intensity
ESRC funds 80% of FEC (exceptions including subcontracted social surveys funded at 100% FEC)
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Consultation with stakeholders; data collection, processing and publication; promoting use and impact of data; preparatory activities for period up to 2037
Eligible expenses
- Staff costs
- data collection
- distribution and promotion
- engagement and collaboration activity
- travel and subsistence
Ineligible costs
- Standard research projects
- writing up previous research
- preparation of books and publications
- literature surveys
- general conference attendance not related to proposed work
- studentships
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Interviews expected mid to end July 2026 (virtual); final decision by ESRC following panel recommendation
Assessment process
Expert panel review; shortlisted applicants invited to interview; final decision by ESRC
Application sections
Not specified
Application components
- Vision
- Approach
- Applicant and Team Capability (R4RI format)
- Ethics and RRI
- Resources and Cost Justification
- Engaging Stakeholders
- Collaboration
- Organisation Support
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
- Vision
- Approach
- Applicant and Team Capability
- Ethics and RRI
- Resources and Cost Justification
- Engaging Stakeholders
- Collaboration
- Organisation Support
Timeline and partners
Opening date
3 Mar 2026
Project duration
Maximum 60 months
Project start
30 Sept 2026
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Collaborative delivery across research organisations for BES 2027–2032 surveys.
Consortium requirements
- Multi-organisation consortium expected to deliver national British Election Study programme.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Eligible Sizes","value":"Research organisations (no size restriction specified)"},{"label":"Primary Data Requirements","value":"Post-election survey of probability-based sample for UK General Election; inter-election surveys; surveys aligned with local elections in England, Scotland and Wales"},{"label":"Geographic Coverage","value":"England, Wales and Scotland (BES does not collect data in Northern Ireland)"},{"label":"Data Requirements","value":"Nationally representative samples; high-quality data; maintain time-series continuity; deposit with UK Data Service; publish release schedule within one month of start of data collection; final data available no later than one year after election and preferably within nine months"},{"label":"Subcontracted Survey Rules","value":"Surveys over £10,000 must be subject to competitive purchasing; surveys over £25,000 must follow full tendering procedures; minimum three quotations required unless justified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Produce high-quality politically independent data; promote timely access; collaborate with other UK election studies; enable stakeholder access; consider use of AI; ensure governance and advisory board; comply with ESRC data policy"},{"label":"Funding Structure","value":"80% FEC (100% for subcontracted social surveys exceptions); no requirement for institutional matched funding beyond standard 20% FEC"},{"label":"Match Funding","value":"No matched funding required beyond standard 20% FEC; direct and in-kind third-party contributions encouraged"},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Successful applicants may be invited to apply for funding covering the remainder of 2027 to 2037 period, subject to performance, funding availability and delivery consistency"},{"label":"Governance Requirements","value":"Independent advisory board required; chair appointed in consultation with ESRC; ESRC investment manager attends as observer; regular monitoring and reporting required"},{"label":"Monitoring Requirements","value":"Updated timeline and risk register at start; six-monthly written updates; Researchfish reporting; twice-yearly meetings with ESRC"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Data must be deposited with UK Data Service; accessibility and stakeholder utility prioritised; must comply with ESRC Research Funding Guide; generative AI tools permitted in preparation with caution; this is a strategic data infrastructure investment"}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 14 May 2026
- Funding amount
- Up to £4,900,000 (full economic cost)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Academic and research institutions conducting political, electoral and social science data infrastructure work
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 3 Mar 2026