Data for metascience sandpit 2027

UK-based participants only. Project leads need an eligible UK research organisation. UK business, third-sector and government participants can join as co-leads or partners, with additional role/cost restrictions. International collaboration is excluded.

Participants across UKRI disciplines may apply under standard ESRC eligibility rules. To lead a resulting project, you must be based at an eligible UK university, research council institute, approved independent research organisation, public-sector research establishment or NHS body with research capacity. UK business, third-sector and government participants must be employed or contracted by an established UK organisation. They may be co-leads or partners, cannot take over project leadership and may claim only the costs permitted for their organisation type; this route does not require a PhD. No more than 20% of sandpit participants will come from these sectors. International collaboration is not allowed. You must attend all five days: 1–3 March 2027 in person and 9–10 March online. Inform your university research office before submitting the expression of interest. If a project is funded, the institution must contribute 20% of full economic costs. Attendance alone does not secure funding. The linked ESRC co-lead policy limits the combined relevant non-academic co-lead costs to 30% of project full economic cost; each business is limited to one FTE year of combined research staff time. Third-sector bodies receiving a subsidy use the business costing restrictions. Standard UKRI-eligible organisations instead use normal 80% FEC rules. Government salary backfill and third-sector overhead exceptions are conditional; all costs need justification and subsidy-control compliance. The call’s ban on international collaboration overrides the policy’s general international co-lead provisions.

1. Complete the official expression-of-interest survey by 24 November 2026, 16:00 UK time. This deadline is for selection to attend the sandpit. Confirm availability for all five days and tell the research office in advance. No extra documentation is accepted; incomplete surveys are rejected. Selection is based solely on the survey. The first three days are in person and the final two online. Resulting project funding is a later stage.