Administrative Data Research UK (ADR UK) is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and seeks to transform the way in which researchers access the UK’s public sector data in order to enable better informed policy decisions that improve people’s lives. ADR UK is made up of four national partnerships (ADR England, ADR Northern Ireland, ADR Scotland and ADR Wales) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which ensures data provided by UK Government bodies is accessed by researchers in a safe and secure form with minimal risk to data holders or the public.

ADR UK provides research fellowships to facilitate research and analysis demonstrating the policy impact potential of key ADR UK flagship datasets held within the ONS Secure Research Service (or other ADR UK trusted research environments). Proposals are sought that meet the following four objectives:

• Useful research: Proposals that will act as ‘pathfinders’ for conducting research and deriving insights from the dataset, and which showcase the potential for policy impact and public benefit.
• Useful data: Proposals that will develop the data as a useful research resource for future users.
• Useful engagement: Proposals that will foster opportunities between academia, government, the third sector and the public to allow fresh thinking to flourish and maintain public acceptance of the use of data for research purposes.
• Community building: Proposals that will greatly boost the applicant’s development as a research leader in their field and include activities promoting the development of a wider community around a particular dataset or theme.

Proposals will be accepted from individual researchers from eligible ESRC research organisations, including early career researchers (where a mentor is mandatory). Applicants must be based within an eligible UK institution for the duration of the fellowship.

The full economic cost (FEC) of the fellowship can be up to £200,000. ESRC and ADR UK will fund 80% of the FEC.