AHRC Curiosity Award

These are flexible awards to fund fundamental research that leads to new research agendas, networking activity and idea generation, which enables the development of further research opportunities and new research agendas.

Scope and funding

Curiosity awards support early-stage ambitious and novel fundamental research which has the potential to act as a springboard towards new and exciting research agendas. The funding opportunity is flexible (covering a wide variety of research activities) and applications are welcomed from teams, networks and solo researchers. Projects can be single discipline, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary.

Project are welcomed up to £100,000 full economic cost (FEC) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) will fund 80% of this. Funding is available for projects up to five years in duration.

When to apply

Applications to this scheme are continuous, with no deadline.

How to apply through the University of Bristol

If you are interested in applying for a Curiosity Award, to be held in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law at the University of Bristol, please get in touch with the relevant School Research Director. They will be able to advise you on any internal review processes in place and on any School support available.

You can also get advice on the external application process and your queries about the scheme answered by the Research Development Associates who support our Faculty and the Faculty of Arts.

Eligibility and further details

Find full eligibility guidelines and more information about the scheme on the AHRC Curiosity Award funding page.