ESRC announces launch of legacy centre status for existing ESRC centres

29 Nov 2018 12:59 PM

ESRC is pleased to announce the launch of legacy centre status and funding for existing ESRC centres. This represents the latest stage in the implementation of ESRC's new graduated centres funding model, announced in 2017, introduced with the aim of fostering and sustaining a larger number of centres over the longer term. 

Legacy centre status introduces the opportunity for centres to be invited to apply to be recognised as an ESRC centre for a further five year period once substantial ESRC centre funding comes to an end, through a process of legacy centre status review.

ESRC legacy centre status review will be a rigorous process of review to establish the ongoing excellence and credibility of a former ESRC centre. Application for legacy centre status review is by invitation only.  

Centres will typically be invited to apply for this status as their transition fundingcomes to an end having received between eight and 10 years of funding from the ESRC, and should be largely self-sustaining. 

We have, as an exception, invited a small number of former ESRC centres to apply for the first legacy centre status review that were still active when the centres policy review began, but were unable to benefit from the opportunities created by this recent change in policy.

If successful, legacy centre status will enable the centre to continue to brand itself as an ESRC centre, receive up to £100,000 funding (at 100% fEC) over the five year period to support knowledge exchange and capacity building activities and seek advice and support from the ESRC in its communication and engagement activities.

This extended period of recognition is intended to: maximise the impact of the research activity and ESRC investment to date through support for knowledge exchange, capacity building and communication activities and support the centre through its assurance of excellence in leveraging further funding and supporting the centre's efforts to ensure the influence and use of its research.

Further information about the review and the background and principles behind the revised funding model are detailed in our centres policy summary (PDF, 64Kb).

Further information

For further information please contact centrespolicy@esrc.ukri.org