From insight to innovation: new Social Sciences Catalyst Fund announced
19 June 2026
A new £100k Social Sciences Catalyst Fund to support researchers in their path to innovation has just been launched.
The Social Sciences Catalyst Fund, part of Oxford’s ESRC Impact Acceleration Account, is designed to support social scientists to take early steps towards innovation. From articulating an idea and exploring feasibility through workshops and partnerships, to running an early pilot or pushing towards more substantial funding opportunities, there is a broad range of activities supported by the fund.
The call is open to social sciences researchers from across the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University with funding up to £15,000, with opportunities tailored to project needs depending on where each researcher is on the journey.
Professor Louise Slater, Associate Head of Division (Research and Impact), said: "Social sciences are drivers of innovation in practice; they turn knowledge into action through toolkits, digital interventions, advisory services, and new technologies and techniques. These outputs achieve sustainable scale through training provision, consultancy, executive education, licensing and new ventures, including those with purpose-driven missions.
"We know that getting ideas off the ground and nurturing them to fruition can be challenging when looking for funding - this is why the newly launched Social Sciences Catalyst Fund will help social sciences researchers in taking those critical first steps."
For further information, please follow the links below.
