Have you used data from the UK Data Service in your undergraduate dissertation? If so, consider submitting your dissertation to the 2026 UK Data Service Dissertation Award. The deadline for submissions is 12.00 (lunchtime) on Wednesday 1 July 2026.
Showcase your research
As well as a £300 prize, winners will get the opportunity to write about their work on the UK Data Service Data Impact blog. The Data Impact blog showcases how social, population and economic data can create meaningful impact and benefits across society.
With the support of our Impact team, you’ll learn how to write effectively for the readership of the blog and develop skills in building narratives, accessibility and public engagement. This is a valuable chance to build your profile and reflect on how your work can make a difference.
Previous winners
Lex Irish, one of the winners of the 2025 UK Data Service Dissertation Award, has written about his dissertation “The Cost of Survival: An Empirical Study into the Impact of Cancer Diagnosis on Income Levels in the UK” on the Data Impact blog. He used the blog to highlight his findings in what remains an under-researched area.
Lex said: “Entering the UK Data Service Dissertation Award allowed my research to continue beyond submission. Being recognised by the competition for such a personal topic was the highlight of my experience studying health economics. I would encourage anyone who feels passionately that their research is worth sharing to apply.”
You can read more posts written by the winners of the 2025 UK Data Service Dissertation Award at the Data Impact blog.
How to enter
Further information on eligibility and entry requirements is available on the 2026 UK Data Service Dissertation Award page.