Imagine leading a bold, data‑driven research project in the UK that unlocks the power of everyday digital traces—from apps to smart meters—to address pressing societal issues. The Smart Data Research UK (SDR UK) Fellowships offer researchers up to £200,000 in funding to innovate in areas such as health, sustainability, digital society or economic prosperity, and begin impactful work by February 2026. ↚
Transform Real‑World Challenges with UKRI Smart Data Research UK Fellowships 2026
What the Fellowship Covers
Selected projects may claim up to £200,000 in full economic costs (FEC), with ESRC providing 80% of the budget. The awards support salaries, research expenses, impact and dissemination activities, and access to national data services in areas like finance, imagery, energy, geographic and health data. Fellows also benefit from data access support and network collaboration opportunities.Who Can Apply
Applications are open to researchers based at UK institutions eligible for ESRC funding. Researchers at all career stages are welcome—and early career applicants are particularly encouraged. You don’t need prior expertise in smart data, but you’ll need the capacity to lead an innovative, impact‑oriented project. Applicants with significant sandboxed involvement in other SDR UK grants are ineligible.↚
Research Themes & Goals
Projects must align with at least one of SDR UK’s four thematic pillars: Productivity and Prosperity for All, Health and Wellbeing, Digital Society, or Sustainability. Your proposal should integrate novel smart data sources—such as social media, location, sensor or transaction data—with stakeholder engagement, ethical governance and a clear roadmap to positive impact.Assessment & Timeline
Your application will be evaluated by a panel of experts based on vision, methodology, feasibility, applicant capability, career development, host support, ethics and cost justification. Final funding decisions aim to balance innovation and diversity across topics and sectors. Awards will be announced in December 2025, with project start dates expected from February 1, 2026.↚