A very small number of centres of strategic importance that have been persistently funded by ESRC over a long period may be separately invited to apply for ESRC ‘research institute’ status, with enduring funding in recognition of their exceptional status.
Once approved for this status the institute would be funded through a rolling grant model, reviewed every five years. The expectation is that the host research organisation will also make a significant contribution to the long-term future of the institute.
Institute status awarded to global centres of excellence
In April 2018 we recognised global centres of excellence with official ESRC research institute status. The move acknowledges those centres which have demonstrated sustained strategic value to ESRC, as well as to the broader social science research landscape, with long-term, five-year funding.
Launched as the first ESRC research institutes were the Centre for the Microeconomic Analysis of Public Policy and the Centre for Economic Performance.