AHRC Responsive Mode: UKRI NSF-SBE Lead Agency

About this grant

Collaborative research grant application within the remit of Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and US National Science Foundation, Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences Directorate (NSF-SBE). Funding to work with overseas researchers in the United States.

Eligibility requirements

All of the following criteria must be met:

• UK partners: based at UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding
• US partners: must obtain letter of support from US institution and meet NSF-SBE criteria
• Actively engaged in postdoctoral research
• Doctorate or equivalent research experience
• Must submit Expression of Interest (EOI) before full application

What the funding covers

• Collaborative research between UK and US researchers
• Full economic cost between £300K and £1.5 million
• AHRC funds 80% FEC
• Maximum duration: 5 years
• Project co-leads (international) funded at 100% FEC up to 30% of total (exceptions apply)

How to apply

1. 1Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) using the NSF-SBE UKRI EOI template in PDF format
2. 2Email completed EOI to chosen lead agency
3. 3If AHRC is lead agency, email sbeleadagency@ukri.org
4. 4If NSF-SBE is lead agency, email sbe-ukri@nsf.gov
5. 5EOI must include proposed research overview
6. 6EOI must identify research teams involved
7. 7EOI must include bottom-line funding estimates requested from NSF and UKRI
8. 8EOI should include summary, objectives, research challenges, methodologies, outputs, impacts and beneficiaries
9. 9EOI must not exceed 1000 words or 2 pages
10. 10EOI is shared with non-lead agency for eligibility checks
11. 11Submit full application only after EOI approval
12. 12Full proposal budget cannot vary by more than 10% from approved EOI without justification
13. 13Submit full application within one year of EOI approval
14. 14Submitting full application before EOI approval results in rejection
15. 15If NSF-SBE is lead, submit via Fastlane, Grants.gov or Research.gov
16. 16Use UKRI Funding Service only; Je-S cannot be used
17. 17Ensure organisation is registered on Funding Service
18. 18Only lead research organisation can submit
19. 19Project lead completes application with team and partner contributions
20. 20Select Start Application on Funding Finder
21. 21Confirm project lead status
22. 22Create or sign in to Funding Service account
23. 23If organisation is missing, contact support@funding-service.ukri.org
24. 24Allow 10 working days for organisation registration
25. 25Create organisation Administration Account (recommended)
26. 26Complete application responses in text boxes
27. 27Upload required documents through Funding Service
28. 28Review application in read-only mode
29. 29Submit to research office for checking before final submission
30. 30Use images only when necessary, with legends, under 5MB, approved formats
31. 31Use references within sections only; no hyperlinks to extend application
32. 32Persistent identifiers such as DOIs preferred
33. 33Generative AI permitted with caution following UKRI policy
34. 34Funding opportunity is always open; ignore displayed system closing date
35. 35Applications cannot be changed after submission
36. 36Rejected resubmissions targeted for review within 9 months
37. 37Sensitive information should be emailed separately to AHRC
38. 38No institutional matched funding required beyond 20% FEC
39. 39Third-party partner contributions encouraged
40. 40Successful applications may be published on Gateway to Research
41. 41Prepare Summary section (550 words): context, challenge, aims, benefits
42. 42Assign Core Team roles using UKRI role types
43. 43US-funded applicants must be listed as Project Co-Lead International
44. 44Choose one Primary Discipline classification
45. 45Provide Secondary Discipline keywords
46. 46Upload NSF-SBE budget form and US institutional support letter as single PDF
47. 47Prepare Vision section (550 words): excellence, innovation, impact, beneficiaries
48. 48Prepare Approach section (2750 words): methods, feasibility, risks, environment, impact pathway
49. 49Prepare Applicant and Team Capability section (1650 words) using R4RI format
50. 50Include UK and US teams in capability section
51. 51Cover R4RI modules: knowledge generation, team development, community contribution, societal benefit
52. 52Use Additions section only for contextual factors, not extra achievements
53. 53Add project partner details and contributions
54. 54Upload project partner support letters as single PDF or enter N/A
55. 55Support letters limited to two A4 pages per partner
56. 56Do not include letters from host or co-lead research organisations
57. 57Prepare Ethics and RRI section (500 words): ethics, data governance, compliance
58. 58Prepare Resources and Cost Justification (1000 words)
59. 59Include only UK costs in UK resources table
60. 60US costs should be included only in NSF-SBE budget form
61. 61Justify major costs: staff, travel, consumables, facilities, exceptions
62. 62Equipment over £25,000 is not funded
63. 63Formal collaboration agreements required if award is made

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