ESRC funding opportunity: Future Data Services sandpit – transforming discovery and access

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is inviting expressions of interest to attend a sandpit aimed at developing projects to transform discovery and access to data provided by ESRC’s social science data service infrastructures. The projects will deliver a step change in how researchers discover, access and use social science data, and will support the transition to technology-enabled data pipelines for data management, curation, discovery and access.

Expressions of interest to apply to attend the sandpit will close on 16 July at 16:00. It will take place on 12 October (in-person, London), and 14, 19 and 23 October (virtual). Attendance for all four days is mandatory.

About the sandpit

This will bring together approximately 40 participants from across ESRC’s social science data service infrastructures, data users, and experts in data management, curation, discovery and access, alongside individuals with experience in developing and applying technological solutions. The focus will be on co-developing project proposals to enhance ESRC’s social science data service infrastructures and exploring opportunities in this area.

The overall aim of the sandpit is to develop projects that:

• deliver a step change in how researchers discover, access and use social science data
• advance the transition to technology-enabled data pipelines supporting data management, curation, discovery and access
• upskill the data service infrastructure workforce to better support the research community in the future

Why now?

This funding opportunity arises out of the Future Data Services (FDS) Review which investigated the challenges for accessing and using data and the opportunities for future data infrastructure provision. This sandpit will therefore support the delivery of the FDS recommendations and its vision for the future of data services:  

“A seamless, connected, user-centred and federated data service landscape, driven by curiosity, collaboration and coordination, and making use of the new technologies that present boundless possibilities for researchers to use data for public good.”  

It is expected that around five to 10 projects will be funded, sharing up to £21.6 million of total funding at 100% full economic cost (FEC). ESRC will fund 80% FEC.

For more details and how to apply, visit the UKRI website.