I received a letter yesterday, saying that I have been nominated by my institution for an ESRC quota place. I read through all the ESRC FAQ and all relevant pages on the website, but I'm still not 100% sure. Does that mean that I'm definitely going to get the funding, now ESRC only has to approve, or I just got into the next round of the competition?

that site is awful. it doesn't really tell you important stuff like that, does it? i've been crawling all over that site with exactly the same question...

Could you just not telephone and ask the institution.

I did call them, someone said that last year everyone they nominated got it, then another one said that she cannot comment on it. But as far as I understand, your institution nominates you, and then esrc just confirms your eligibility. So guess will just have to wait till 30th June...

Have you tried the ersc?

No, but somewhere in the guidelines it says that you should not contact them for this kind of information, but contact your institution.