UKRI Smart Data Research UK Fellowships 2026
Description
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), under the umbrella of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has opened applications for the Smart Data Research UK Fellowships 2026. This unique initiative offers funding of up to £200,000 per project to support innovative, impact-led research that harnesses smart data to address real-world challenges in the UK.
With a total fund of £2 million, this call is designed to empower researchers at various career stages to explore novel approaches using data derived from everyday digital interactions. Projects are expected to contribute directly to one or more of four national thematic priorities while emphasizing measurable impact and community benefit.
What is Smart Data?
Smart data refers to digital footprints generated by individuals and organizations during everyday activities. Examples include smartphone usage, wearable devices, GPS data, loyalty card transactions, mobile applications, and social media interactions. Importantly, the definition excludes data from regulated systems such as open banking.
This data is rich with behavioral insights and holds transformative potential across a range of disciplines, from health and education to sustainability and digital technology.
Degree Level
UKRI Smart Data Research UK Fellowships 2026 is available to undertake Fellowship level programs at UK Universities.
Available Subjects
Thematic Focus Areas
Projects must align with at least one of the following priority areas:
- Productivity and Prosperity for All
- Research that addresses barriers to economic inclusion, skills development, or workforce productivity.
- Health and Wellbeing
- Studies using smart data to improve healthcare delivery, mental health outcomes, or public health interventions.
- Digital Society
- Projects focusing on the social implications of digital technologies, data ethics, or digital participation.
- Sustainability
- Research into climate resilience, sustainable behaviors, or environmental policy using digital behavior data.
Expectations and Deliverables
Fellows are expected to devote a minimum of 20% of their time to impact activities. This includes public engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and policy communication. The goal is to develop long-term capabilities within the UK social science research ecosystem.
Applications must include:
- A clear research vision
- An interdisciplinary approach
- A data access and management plan
- Career development goals
- Evidence of institutional support
- Cost justification and ethical considerations
Benefits
- Maximum Funding: £200,000 per project (ESRC funds 80% of full economic cost)
Applicants must be affiliated with an eligible UK research organisation. International applicants are not eligible unless they are employed by a UK institution. Researchers currently holding an active SDR UK award are also ineligible.
Eligible Nationalities
Open to applicants of all nationalities.
Eligibility Criteria
Who is Eligible to Apply
- Open to researchers at all career stages (early, mid, and established).
- Early career researchers are particularly encouraged to apply.
- Researchers new to using smart data are welcome:
Must include mentoring and capacity building plans as part of their fellowship.
- Applicants must be based within a UK research organisation eligible to receive UKRI funding.
- Suggested time commitment:
- Minimum of 0.6 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) for the fellowship.
- Proposals with lower FTE may be accepted but should justify reduced commitment.
- Applicants on part-time contracts must commit FTE at a proportionate level.
- Fellows are encouraged to fully utilise the data and funding opportunities available under this program.
Who is Not Eligible to Apply
- Researchers who are named leads or co-leads with more than 0.2 FTE on SDR UK’s Data Service grants.
- Accelerator award holders under SDR UK with more than 6 months left on their current award as of 31 January 2026.
- Applicants from non-UK organisations.
- International project leads, co-leads, and international fellows are not eligible.
- You must be based within an eligible UK institution for the entire duration of the fellowship.
Application Procedure
All applications must be submitted via the UKRI Funding Service. Institutions must ensure the application is reviewed and submitted by the institutional research office before the deadline.
Applicants are encouraged to engage with the Smart Data Research UK team during the application phase to clarify scope, eligibility, and data usage intentions.
Why Apply?
This fellowship provides more than just financial support. It offers researchers an opportunity to:
- Build national and international research profiles
- Engage with cross-sector partners
- Translate research into actionable policy
- Influence the next generation of data-driven social science
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between smart data and big data?
Smart data refers specifically to data generated through personal and organizational digital activities such as smartphone use, social media, and wearables. While both smart data and big data deal with large volumes of information, smart data emphasizes actionable insights derived from behavioral data in real-world settings.
Can early career researchers apply for this fellowship?
Yes. The fellowship is open to researchers at all career stages, including early career academics, provided they are based at a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding.
What kind of impact activities are expected?
Applicants must allocate at least 20% of their fellowship time to impact-related activities. These may include public engagement, policy briefings, stakeholder events, media contributions, and other forms of research translation that benefit society or inform decision-making.
