A new application should involve a significant change of focus from any previous application you have submitted to ESRC, and will likely be accompanied by a different set of costings to deliver the project. Applications which demonstrate only minor amendments from previous submissions, for example specific changes based on previous peer review feedback alone, will be counted as resubmissions.
We expect new applications to have fresh or significantly modified objectives or an entirely revised methodological or analytical approach to a research question, or both. Any application which does not meet either of these criteria will be judged a resubmission.
When preparing any new application a good approach is to critically ask yourself if any of the following apply. If the answer is ‘yes’ then your application may be considered a resubmission:
- broadly the same title or application summary, or both
- overall aim of a new application and its high-level objectives broadly the same
- broadly the same research questions
- broadly the same resources required to carry out the research
- project leads and project co-leads on an application are amended (for example swapping of roles) while the content of the application is essentially the same.
However, this is not an exhaustive list and none of these points in isolation will be used to define a resubmission.
In order to treat everyone fairly, we cannot engage in discussions about whether a particular application will be treated as a resubmission before you apply. We advise that you consult within your institution before making an application which you believe may be considered a resubmission.
The identification of uninvited resubmissions will rest with staff within ESRC. In considering the eligibility of a new application ESRC may approach a member of the grant assessment panels (GAPs) to assess whether the application is an uninvited resubmission of a previous application. This will generally only be in difficult cases where external advice is required to inform the decision.