Digital Good Research Fund 2025: Now Open for Applications

The Digital Good Network has opened applications for its third annual funding call under the theme “Building the Digital Good.” Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit proposals that advance our understanding of how to create a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable digital society.

What Is the Digital Good Research Fund?

The Digital Good Research Fund forms part of the broader mission of the Digital Good Network, which aims to advance collective understanding of what constitutes a good digital society and how it can be achieved. In its third year, the fund shifts its emphasis from theoretical foundations to practical application—supporting research that investigates how digital technologies can be developed, implemented, and assessed to serve the public good.

The 2025 funding theme is rooted in the network’s discussion paper, Evaluating the Societal Outcomes of Digital Technologies: Building Blocks and Reflexive Questions. Applicants are encouraged to engage with the framework presented in this paper, which outlines foundational elements for a good digital society and introduces reflexive questions to guide critical evaluation of digital outcomes.

Scope and Focus

This call invites proposals that:

• Engage with or challenge the ideas in the discussion paper Evaluating the Societal Outcomes of Digital Technologies: Building Blocks and Reflexive Questions.
• Build on the Digital Good Network’s existing research themes and objectives.
• Address one or more of the network’s three key societal challenges: Equity, Sustainability, and Resilience

Encouraged Approaches and Disciplines

To strengthen the diversity of our research portfolio, we especially welcome proposals that:

• Use quantitative or computational methods
• Are led by underrepresented disciplines including psychology, computer science, and economics
• Engage with secondary data or existing datasets

We also encourage interdisciplinary teams, particularly those combining distinct disciplines (e.g., computer science + sociology, or psychology + cultural studies).

Funding and Eligibility

• Total Funding Available: Up to £300,000

• Maximum per Project: £75,000 (£60,000 at 80% fEC)

• Projects are funded at 80% Full Economic Cost (fEC); lead institutions must cover the remaining 20%

• Non-academic and international organisations may be eligible for 100% fEC under UKRI guidelines

The Project Lead must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding. Teams must include at least one Early Career Researcher (ECR) in a leadership role with a clear development plan.

Digital Good Network Management Team members are not eligible to apply, but previous grant holders are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

1. Download the Digital Good Research Fund 2025 Application Form. (Here)
2. Complete the form and gather all required attachments:
   • A one-page CV for the Project Lead and all named Project Co-Leads
   • Letters of support from each project partner
   • A letter of support from the Project Lead’s institution
   • Completed Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Monitoring Form (link included in the application form)
3. Combine all materials into a single .pdf document and email to applications@digitalgood.net by Thursday 26 June 2025 at 16:00 UK time.
4.  If you require the form in an alternative format, contact info@digitalgood.net to discuss your needs.

For full eligibility requirements and funding rules, consult the ESRC Research Funding Guide and Digital Good Network’s policies.

Support for Applicants

• Pre-recorded Overview: Watch a video introduction to the Digital Good Research Fund 2025.
• Live Q&A Recording: Watch the recording of the live Q&A session about the fund.

Application Review Criteria

All proposals will be reviewed by the Network’s College of Experts. The selection will be based on:

• Relevance to the call’s theme and societal challenges
• Interdisciplinary team composition
• Engagement with external stakeholders (policy, community, industry, etc.)
• Support for Early Career Researchers
• Overall contribution to a diverse research portfolio

Additional Conditions

Funded projects must:

• Attend a Spring 2026 summit event (date TBC)
• Contribute to the Digital Good Network via training content or web content
• Participate in data management and ethics planning
• Meet with the Network team post-project to evaluate engagement and impact

Important Dates

• Call Launch: 11 March 2025
• Application Deadline: 26 June 2025, 16:00 UK time
• Optional Sandpit Expression of Interest: 27 March 2025
• Team Formation Sandpit Event: 1 April 2025
• ECR Support Webinar: 29 April 2025
• Funding Decisions Announced: September 2025
• Earliest Research Start Date: 15 October 2025
• Project Completion Deadline: August 2026

For more opportunities visit our website Opportunities For Youth