Since its launch in the early 2000’s, the ESS has been committed to delivering high-quality, comparative social data across Europe.
Conducted every two years in approximately 30 countries, the ESS collects invaluable insights into public attitudes on topics ranging from democracy and governance to climate change, crime and social justice.
With its rigorous methodological standards and open-access data, the ESS has significantly contributed to academic research, policy formulation and public discourse.
In its continuous effort to advance survey methodologies and ensure sustainability, the ESS has sought and secured funding through Horizon Europe, which is one of the EU’s primary funding programmes for research and innovation.
Why Horizon Europe funding?
The ESS’s participation in European Commission framework programmes dates to its early years when funding was essential for establishing and developing the infrastructure.
The transition to European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) status in 2013 provided financial stability through national contributions to the core central costs. However Horizon Europe funding remains critical for enhancing survey methods, expanding outreach, and integrating social data into policy discussions.
One key driver behind ESS funding applications has been its commitment to help inform policy-relevant research. For example, the Infra4NextGen project, coordinated by the ESS, integrates data from multiple cross-national surveys to generate policy-relevant insights in five key European Commission areas:
- digital
- equal
- green
- healthy
- strong societies
In addition, a recent project, SoGreen, focuses on societal aspects of the European Green Deal transition.
Such projects highlight the importance of Horizon Europe funding for both methodological innovation and practical policy impact. The international collaboration required for European Commission-funded projects is similar in organisation and scope to the ERIC structure. This ensures that we seek to work with the highest possible quality individuals and institutions from across Europe, often leaders in their specific field.
The value of ERIC status
A turning point for the ESS was the transition to ERIC status in 2013. Before this shift, the European Commission fully funded the survey’s coordination costs. ERIC status introduced a sustainable funding model where national ministries contributed to both local fieldwork and central coordination. This model has ensured long-term stability and fostered a sense of shared ownership among participating countries.
A key benefit of ERIC status is its financial predictability. Member countries commit to at least two rounds of the survey, taking four years, allowing for consistent planning and execution. In addition, the ERIC structure enhances governance, ensuring high standards in research practices and data collection.
Credit: ODESSI via Unsplash
Developing an international consortium
International collaboration has been fundamental to the ESS’s success. Over the past two decades, they have developed strong relationships with leading institutions in social science research. As a result, forming an international consortium for Horizon Europe projects has been relatively straightforward.
The ESS typically collaborates with its core scientific team and other research projects such as:
- the European Values Study
- Generations and Gender Programme
- Consortium of European Social Science Data Archives
- Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe
These partnerships enhance the quality and reach of ESS’s research but also strategically involve partners with expertise in areas where additional knowledge is required. For example, in the Infra4NextGen project, King’s College London contributes by conducting qualitative interviews with young people, while the European Association of Geographers develops interactive maps to present data to younger audiences.
The ESS has also been collaborating with Integrated Carbon Observation System ERIC, adding survey data collection in a project focused on building carbon capture systems in European cities. Such collaborations not only enrich ESS’s projects but also foster cross-disciplinary innovation.
Benefits of international collaboration
The ESS was founded with the goal of establishing a truly comparable cross-national social survey. Over the past 25 years, it has successfully addressed this challenge, providing high-quality, standardised data across European countries.
Collaborating with international partners has been instrumental in maintaining methodological rigor and driving innovation. Beyond academic benefits, collaboration ensures that the ESS’s methodologies remain at the forefront of survey research. By working with both publicly funded projects and private sector entities, the ESS helps promote high scientific standards in data collection, countering the rise of unscientific and unrepresentative surveys.
European Social Survey national teams gathered in Warsaw, Poland to discuss preparations for delivering round 12 of the survey. Credit: ESS Poland
Coordinating versus partnering
The ESS has experience in both leading and partnering in Horizon Europe projects. Coordinating a project provides greater influence over proposal development and consortium formation. However, it also entails significant administrative responsibilities, including reporting and budget management.
On the other hand, joining as a partner allows the ESS to focus more on scientific contributions rather than administrative burdens. A well-managed project can be highly rewarding, particularly when expertise from different organisations is integrated effectively.
The ESS’s involvement in projects like the ERIC Forum, a Horizon 2020 initiative bringing together European research infrastructure consortiums, has helped establish valuable academic and professional networks.
Professor Rory Fitzgerald, Director at ESS says:
We have been able to demonstrate how strategic funding applications, international collaboration, and a sustainable governance model can drive long-term success in social research. By leveraging Horizon Europe funding and ERIC status, the ESS continues to enhance its methodologies, expand its reach, and ensure its data remains a vital resource for academics, policymakers, and the public alike.
Key insights
For organisations considering applying for Horizon Europe funding, the ESS offers the following key insights.
Start planning early
Identifying a strong consortium from the outset is crucial.
Maintain a clear timetable
Coordinating projects requires precise scheduling and efficient decision-making.
Use the electronic submission system wisely
Uploading draft proposals well before the deadline helps avoid technical issues.
Continuing to shape evidence-based policymaking and social research
Looking ahead, the ESS remains committed to securing additional Horizon Europe funding. While the biennial survey remains its core activity, the ESS recognises the value of supplementary projects that promote its data to policymakers, educators, and the public.
These initiatives ensure that ESS data continues to shape evidence-based policymaking and social research for the future. Being able to access Horizon Europe is therefore critical for achieving the impact and innovation that a research infrastructure likes the ESS requires.
Top image: Credit: ODISSEI on Unsplash