The Understanding Society Fellowship Programme is designed for researchers to take time out to focus on research projects based on the Study’s data. Funding is available for 12-month fellowships to undertake a project based on Understanding Society data. A maximum budget of £70,000 per fellowship is available for staff and dissemination related-costs. The latest call is now open.
There are three themes in this call:
1. Public engagement
Engaging the public in research is an increasing priority for research funders in the UK. According to UK Research and Innovation, what distinguishes public engagement from simple public communication is its two-way nature—emphasising interaction, active listening, and genuine dialogue with the public. Activities that fall under this heading might include:
- public events and festivals of science and research, when there is two-way engagement
- patient and public involvement and engagement
- public dialogue
- co-production of new research between local communities and universities
We are looking for applications that propose innovative and relevant research that involve one or more of the public engagement activities listed above.
2. Environment, climate change, energy use
Understanding Society offers an increasingly rich resource for examining how attitudes toward the environment and climate change have evolved, and how these attitudes may influence related behaviours—such as energy consumption—within a shifting economic, technological, and geopolitical landscape. A host of new data on these topics has been recently released or is due to be released imminently. These include attitudinal, behavioural, administrative, and smart data. We are seeking applications that make use of these data, including linking them to other relevant information via geographical linkage
3. Exploiting the unique value of the Study
As a research resource, Understanding Study is unique. It is a large-scale, nationally representative, multi-topic longitudinal household survey, collecting data from and on its participants annually. The Study benefits from a large sample size, allowing researchers to examine the lives of important population sub-groups over time, with an Ethnic Minority Boost sample and Immigrant and Ethnic Minority Boost sample increasing the numbers of different ethnic minority and immigrant groups. Data are collected on the whole household, providing the context for individual experiences but also allowing relations between generations, couples and siblings to be explored. Biological and genetic data are also available. Taken together, this makes Understanding Society a unique resource. Fellowship applications on any topic that can demonstrate that they will make use of at least one of the key features of the Study – or, ideally, a combination of them – are welcomed.
Read the full call and download the application form
The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on 27 May 2026.
HousingEducationEmploymentEthnicity and immigrationFamily and householdsHealth and wellbeingMoney and financesPolitics and social attitudesSocial mobilityTransport and environmentYoung people
