Global Challenges Research Fund: ODA capacity and benefits study
A study of the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) evaluation to assess the UK’s capacity to deliver cutting-edge research and innovation for development.
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The GCRF supports UK and international researchers and innovators in taking on key issues affecting developing countries through:
- challenge-led multidisciplinary research
- strengthening capability for research, innovation and knowledge exchange
- providing an agile response to emergencies
GCRF is part of the UK’s official development assistance (ODA).
The GCRF evaluation
The evaluation of GCRF assesses how the Fund is contributing to its objectives and impact – it has 3 stages and is now in Stage 2.
This study is one of 3 modules in Stage 2 and it seeks to assess the benefits of GCRF to UK research and innovation (R&I) systems. More specifically, this study aims to assess the extent to which GCRF has contributed to the UK’s capacity to deliver cutting-edge R&I for development.
This report was produced in 2024. The Global Challenges Research Fund has now closed. Since then, the government has taken the difficult decision to temporarily reduce ODA to the equivalent of 0.3% of gross national income (GNI) by 2027 to fund an increase in defence spending. The government remains committed to international development and to returning ODA to 0.7% of GNI when fiscal conditions allow.