Our new SDR UK Fellowships open
Smart Data Research UK (SDR UK) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Fellowships funding opportunity to support innovative research that uses smart data to help solve real-world challenges.
Smart data is generated through everyday digital interactions – including apps, social media, navigation systems and other connected devices. These data have the potential to transform our knowledge and understanding of real-world challenges, enabling us to discover novel solutions to complex societal issues.
What’s on offer
- Up to £200,000 (FEC) per project
- Support from SDR UK’s national data services, including help accessing relevant datasets
- Opportunities to collaborate with a growing community of smart data researchers
- A platform to influence policy, improve services, and shape the future of responsible data use
We will fund up to ten projects, with awards announced in December 2025 and projects starting by 1 February 2026. All projects must finish within 18 months.
Application deadline: 23 September 2025 at 4:00pm UK time.
Apply now
To learn more about this funding opportunity, please reading the full specification on UKRI Funding Finder.
All applications must be made through the Funding Finder.
What we’re looking for
We want to hear from researchers with big ideas. You don’t need to be a smart data expert, but you should have strong data skills, a compelling question, a creative approach, and a clear view of the impact your work could lead to.
Projects must clearly align with at least one of SDR UK’s four research themes:
- Productivity and prosperity
- Health and wellbeing
- Digital society
- Sustainability
We welcome proposals from all disciplines and career stages, with encouragement for early career researchers to apply.
This opportunity is open only to applicants based at an eligible UK organisation.
“The SDR UK Fellowship is a major opportunity to unlock the potential of emerging data for public good. These awards will support ambitious, impact-focused projects that show how digital traces from our everyday lives – from apps to smart meters – can reveal new solutions to the big challenges facing the UK. We want to empower researchers with the tools, partnerships and data they need to do groundbreaking work that serves society.”
Joe Cuddeford, Director, Smart Data Research UK
Important dates
- Applications open: 15 July 2025 – see UKRI Funding Finder
- Information webinar: 29 July 2025 – watch a recording of the SDR UK Fellowships Introduction webinar, where the Smart Data Research UK team outlines what’s involved in the application process.
- Application deadline: 23 September 2025
- Awards announced: December 2025
- Projects start: 1 February 2026
For any enquiries related to the SDR UK Fellowships, please get in touch: smartdataresearch@ukri.org.
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