As part of the Research Councils' drive to improve efficiency and effectiveness, the ESRC’s grants administration transferred to the RCUK Shared Services Centre (SSC) using a new back-office grants processing system in February 2011.

SSCis now the primary point of contact for all queries regarding the processing of proposals, peer review of individual proposals and administration of current awards. If you have any queries about your grant proposals or current awards, please contact the SSC at grantsesrc@ssc.rcuk.ac.uk, telephone 01793 867125.

Proposal classifications

Applicants are now able to identify relevant public and sector engagement activities in the classification of proposals. The new Qualifiers identify focus other than Research Area (disciplinary or subject area) and are grouped under the headings ‘Public Engagement Methodology,’ ‘Public Engagement Audience,’ and ‘Project Engagement by Sector.’

You may select as many Qualifiers as are relevant to your proposal; this information will enable ESRC to gain a more detailed understanding of the research proposals we receive and their associated engagement activities.