GCRF Strategy

The University has received an allocation from Research England for three years (2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21) to support research that addresses the challenges faced by developing countries. As part of this, we have developed a strategy for GCRF and development research, with funding support summarised below. The full strategy document can be found here.

Vision

Our vision for global development research is to be a foremost practitioner of multidisciplinary, social research-led approaches bringing new ideas, evidence and practical approaches to solve societal challenges in partnership with developing countries.

To deliver the vision, we will support and deliver excellent development research through three priority objectives:

1. Building capacity to conduct problem-focused research into development challenges

2. Developing relationships with partners in the global South, at local, national, and regional levels

3. Generating impact from excellent research, applying knowledge and skills to facilitate meaningful societal impacts and technological advances.

We will invest across three modes, ensuring a pipeline of evolving development-related research.

Mode 1: Existing development-focused strengths
Extending the reach and deepening the impact of already well-established and impactful research, with critical mass and strong equitable partnerships. Examples include: Environment, livelihoods and resilience; Soil erosion and quality; Conflict and justice.

Mode 2: Extending the focus of existing research strengths in other areas to development-related contexts. To do this we will develop contextual understanding by establishing deep relationships with stakeholders to shift the emphasis of research towards development-related questions. Examples include: Food systems and production; Nutrition and health; Heritage and conflict.

Mode 3: Upscaling and deepening areas of work relevant to development challenges where research quality is high, but capacity for development-related work currently constrained. We will work in partnership with stakeholders in developing countries to develop local capacity supported by strengthened capacity at the University. Examples include: Migration and language; Cognition and mental health.

GCRF Strategic Fund

The newly established GCRF Strategic Fund will be used to develop a pipeline of projects with significant development impact in priority DAC countries.

In Years 1 and 2 (2018/19, 2019/20), the fund is supporting two types of activities:

1) Substantial Research Projects

2) Development of equitable partnerships

Calls for Proposals for the GCRF Strategic Fund they will be available to download from the GCRF Funding Opportunities Page.

Rapid Response Fund

The Rapid Response Fund will support research, impact and knowledge exchange activities that respond directly to urgent development needs posed by emergencies (e.g. natural disasters) or by time-limited opportunities (e.g. sudden access to a country after conflict).

This is an open call and applications will be assessed on an ongoing basis (and we envisage to fund projects with a budget of up to £50,000 and duration of up to 6 months). Anyone who is interested in applying must discuss their idea with their Research Dean before submitting an application. The Call for Proposals document is available on the GCRF Funding Opportunities Page.