Global Challenges Research Fund with Travel Support

The scheme allows researchers from across disciplines and from developing countries and the UK to hold networking events, to forge new links and generate innovative transdisciplinary research ideas to address global challenges. The program expects that these new networks will then be better equipped to apply for larger grants offered by the GCRF program and other funding initiatives.

The Academy of Medical Sciences is delighted to be working with the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society to offer Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) Networking Grants, available through the GCRF, which is part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA).  The GCRF is an initiative that aims to support cutting-edge interdisciplinary research that addresses the global issues faced by developing countries. The GCRF is administered through 17 delivery partners including the Research Councils, the UK National Academies, the UK Space Agency and other funding bodies.

The GCRF Networking Grants will be delivered as part of the Joint Academies Resilient Futures program. The Academy of Medical Sciences will work collaboratively across the GCRF delivery partners to ensure that these grants provide opportunities for researchers, drawn from a wide spectrum of disciplines and backgrounds, to develop new collaborations, improve interaction between UK researchers and those in developing countries and build communities of researchers that can submit high-quality applications for other GCRF funding calls.

Eligibility

Applicants can be from any discipline, and applications should focus on building a collaborative network. Therefore proposals should be submitted jointly by a lead overseas researcher from a developing country and a lead researcher based in the UK.

To be eligible to apply, both applicants must:

• Have completed a Ph.D. or have to experience at an equivalent level
• Have proven research experience in their field
• Hold a permanent position at an eligible institution (in the UK or a DAC-listed country), or a fixed-term contract for the duration of the award

The grant forms part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), which promotes economic development and welfare in developing countries. In order for applications to be eligible for this grant, applicants must clearly show that their proposal’s aims are in-line with those of the ODA. These include strengthening global peace and security, promoting global prosperity and tackling extreme poverty. The delivery partners for this scheme have provided some ODA guidance for applicants, which can be downloaded from the right side of this page.

Projects for Round 6 must start between 31 October 2020 and 31 December 2020, and the funding will last for one year.

Benefits

• The maximum amount available is £25,000 of which £5,000 can be used for consumables for obtaining pilot data, archival research or fieldwork.
• The remainder can be used to contribute towards travel and subsistence costs, costs associated with networking events, administrative support and access to technical support.
• Grants cannot be used to pay for salary costs or to employ research assistants, Ph.D. students or postdoctoral staff.

Also read: Road Map to Win a Travel Grant!

Application process

• Applications are invited from researchers affiliated to institutions in DAC-listed countries in collaboration with researchers within eligible UK higher education institutions (HEIs).
• You will need to apply for the program using the Academy’s online grant management system: Flexi-Grant. We do not require a hard-copy to be sent by post. Please note that all final submissions must be made through the online portal.
• For the submission of the application click here.