Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF)

The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) is part of the UK’s official development assistance (ODA). It supports cutting-edge research and innovation that addresses the global issues affecting developing countries. GCRF forms part of the ODA research and innovation funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It aims to reduce poverty by generating and putting into use knowledge and technology to address development challenges and advance development for the poorest people and countries. The fund was launched in 2016 and has a budgeted investment of £1.5 billion between 2016 and 2021 on collaborative research and innovation through UK universities and research organisations. GCRF harnesses the expertise of the UK’s world-leading researchers, focusing on: - funding challenge-led disciplinary and interdisciplinary research - strengthening capability for research, innovation and knowledge exchange in the UK and developing countries - providing an agile response to emergencies where there is an urgent research or on-the-ground need The GCRF delivery partners are: UK Research and Innovation, Scottish Funding Council, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, Department for Education Northern Ireland, Academy of Medical Sciences, Royal Society, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and UK Space Agency.