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

• Round 2 will open on 30 October 2023 and will close on 30 January 2024.
• Round 3 will open in February, details will be published in autumn 2023.

As AHRC transition from using the Joint Electronic Submission (Je-S) system, to the Funding Service (TFS) they will launch consecutive rounds with defined opening and closing dates  – please check the AHRC Curiosity Award funding page for more details.

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.