Applications open for ESRC Festival of Social Science
15 May 2026
The call for expressions of interest to participate in this year's ESRC Festival of Social Sciences has been extended to Friday, 29 May.
The University will be participating in the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026, joining Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford as the Greater Manchester Festival Hub.
The aim of the Festival is to showcase Manchester’s social science research to a broad non-academic audience. This year, the theme of the Festival is Money, Finance and the Cost of Living, though proposals on any other social science topics are welcome, particularly if they involve partner institutions.
The deadline for expressions of interest has been extended to close at 5pm on Friday, 29 May 2026. Early career researchers, including PhD students (with a staff co‑applicant), are strongly encouraged to apply.
The 2026 Festival will run from Saturday 17 October to Saturday 7 November. Applications can be made for up to £750 sponsorship to hold an event as part of the Festival and colleagues are welcome to host their event at the venue of their choice. However, for this year, two central venues in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford have been booked. If you are willing/selected to hold your event at one of the central venues, there will be no venue cost to account for.
As always, funding decisions will prioritise engagement with groups outside of academia (e.g. children, young people, third sector organisations, and members of the public, with businesses, local government and policy makers also being considered). Events should not be aimed at an academic audience.
Please note, applications should not be made to the ESRC, but rather via the University of Manchester.
If you have any queries, please email hums_impact@manchester.ac.uk.