Data services grant call opens

Smart Data Research UK opens major funding call

22 February 2024

Smart Data Research UK is today launching a major funding call for data services, comprising teams of experts in research institutes across the country, who will work to acquire, steward and enable safe access to smart data. 

With a total investment of up to £30 million, the data services will position the UK at the forefront of smart data research and innovation. 
 
Smart Data Research UK is the UK’s national programme for smart data research. Backed by UK government funding, we are a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) programme, delivered by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).  
 
The data services will build long-term partnerships with data owners, demonstrate the potential of smart data through innovative research projects, and provide technical infrastructure, governance and user support to a broad community of researchers. 

Building links with industry

“We’re excited to announce this funding opportunity for Smart Data Research UK data services,” said Joe Cuddeford, Director of Smart Data Research UK. “The relationships that our data services will build with industry and the data they curate will provide the UK research sector with world-leading capabilities. Through them, we will support cutting-edge research to address fundamental social and economic challenges – from preventing diseases to reducing geographic disparities and tackling climate change.” 

“Our interactions in the digital world contribute to a wealth of data and potential knowledge,” said Professor Alison Park, Deputy Executive Chair of the ESRC. “These examples of smart data could hold the key to transformative insight, with the potential to shape the future of research and innovation. However, fragmented access to that data is impeding progress and hindering collaborative efforts. Smart Data Research UK is intended to be a beacon of change, with investment and strategies aimed at breaking down barriers, fostering collaboration, understanding the value of smart data, and championing safe and ethical data practices.”
 
Smart Data Research UK has been shaped by researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and the public. We ran an extensive engagement exercise during 2023, which helped to shape our strategy for the next five years. The data services will meet five objectives: 

• Acquire, steward and enable safe access to smart data for research. 
• Collaborate to build a user-friendly federation of services and enable cross-domain research. 
• Ensure responsible use of data. 
• Build capability across the research community. 
• Be a centre of excellence for smart data research, enabling impact through ground-breaking research. 

Find out more

To find out more and apply, please visit the UKRI Funding Finder. 
 
The deadline for proposals is 4pm Thursday, 2 May 2024. 
After a shortlisting process, funding decisions are due to be made in July 2024.