Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF)

The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) is an initiative led by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and is a key component in the delivery of the UK Aid Strategy, tackling global challenges in the national interest.

The aim of the GCRF is to address the problems faced by developing countries through:

• challenge-led disciplinary and interdisciplinary research
• strengthening capacity for research and innovation within both the UK and developing countries
• providing an agile response to emergencies where there is an urgent research need

GCRF forms part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment. ODA-funded activity focuses on outcomes that promote the long-term sustainable growth of countries on the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list.

GCRF activities have to:

• aim to promote the welfare and economic development of a country or countries on the DAC list of ODA recipients
• are designed to address a development need, and
• focus on developing country problems.

Visit UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) website for ODA guidance, DAC list countries and other useful information relating to the GCRF programme.

Information on the Due diligence guidance provided by UKRI is available here

Information on Oxford Brookes University's GCRF Strategy and GCRF Steering Group is available here

Information on Oxford Brookes University's pilot Due Diligence Process for GCRF/Newton Applications is available here 

See top tips from researchers for GCRF applications