The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's leading research funding and training agency addressing economic and social concerns. They aim to provide high quality research on issues of importance to business, the public sector and government.

ESRC has an international reputation both for providing high-quality research on issues of importance to business, the public sector and government and for their commitment to training excellence, which produces world-class social scientists.

They are an independent organisation, established by Royal Charter, but receive most of their funding through the UK Government's Office of Science and Innovation. Their budget of more than £100 million funds over 2,500 researchers in academic institutions and policy research institutes throughout the UK. They also support more than 2,000 postgraduate students.

The quality of life and economic well-being of the UK and its citizens are just two of the many, policy-relevant issues addressed by ESRC's portfolio of research and training activities. Comparative and international perspectives are strongly encouraged. For example, UK economic performance is increasingly dependent on the global economy, and economic distribution - both within and between countries and regions - is a major issue for social science research.

Every member of UK society benefits from the contribution the social sciences make to the UK's science base and public life.

External link

• ESRC Society Today

British society | Public bodies and task forces of the United Kingdom government