Our new SDR UK Fellowships open
Smart Data Research UK Fellowships applications 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
Applications for the SDR UK Fellowships must be submitted through the UKRI Funding Finder, where you will also find detailed application guidance.
Apply now through the UKRI Funding Finder and join us at a webinar briefing at 1:00pm on 29 July 2025.
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.
Who can apply
This opportunity is open only to applicants based at an eligible UK organisation.
Researchers who are named as Lead and Co-lead with more than 0.2 FTE on SDR UK’s Data Services grants are not eligible to apply.
SDR UK Accelerator award holders with more than six months left on their award on 31 January 2026 are not eligible to apply.
Types of data in scope
Applicants may use smart datasets exclusively, or in combination with other data, for example, administrative and traditional survey data.
While we encourage you to use smart datasets held by Smart Data Research UK’s six data services, this is not a pre-requisite for applications.
Our data services are:
- Financial Data Service (FINDS) – Banking and finance data to understand economic resilience and inequality
- Geographic Data Service (GeoDS) – Linked, location-based data to explore place-based outcomes and disparities
- Healthy and Sustainable Places Data Service (HASP) – Retail, transport and lifestyle data for cross-cutting health and sustainability research
- Imago, Data Service for Imagery – Satellite imagery to uncover patterns in environment, housing, and wellbeing
- Smart Data Donation Service (SDDS) – Enables citizens to donate their digital trace data for scientific research
- Smart Energy Data Service (SENSE) – Energy system and infrastructure data to support reducing energy disparities and improving energy efficiency
Access to required datasets must be established at the time of application. Confirmation via letters of support from relevant data controllers and/or data services must be included with the application.
Objectives
The SDR UK Fellowships have three key objectives:
1. Advance impactful and innovative research
Conduct original, high-impact research that demonstrates how smart data can address a significant real-world challenge.
2. Develop research leadership
Use the Fellowship to grow as a leader in smart data research – developing new skills, networks and areas of expertise.
3. Strengthen the smart data research community
Play an active role in building a connected, collaborative community. Fellows will take part in activities that support collaboration, knowledge sharing, and long-term impact.
“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 at 1:00pm to 1:45pm UK time – Register now
- Application deadline: 23 September 2025
- Awards announced: December 2025
- Projects start: 1 February 2026
Get support
Smart Data Research UK will host a webinar at 1:00pm UK time on 29 July 2025 to provide further information on the opportunity and to answer any questions you may have on the Fellowships and application procedure – register to attend the webinar.
For any enquiries related to the SDR UK Fellowships, please get in touch: smartdataresearch@ukri.org.
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