Economic and Social Research Council
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is one of the seven Research Councils in the United Kingdom. It receives most of its funding from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and provides funding and support for research and training work in social and economic issues, such as postgraduate degrees.
Structure
The ESRC is based at Polaris House in Swindon, which is also the location of the head offices of several other UK Research Councils and RCUK; together the Research Councils annually budget is in the region of £3 billion.
The mission of the ESRC
The ESRC's mission, according to its website, is to:
promote and support, by any means, high-quality basic, strategic and applied research and related postgraduate training in the social sciences;
advance knowledge and provide trained social scientists who meet the needs of users and beneficiaries, thereby contributing to the economic competitiveness of the United Kingdom, the effectiveness of public services and policy, and the quality of life;
