Research and analysis

Global Challenges Research Fund: value for money assessment

Findings from the value for money (VfM) assessment of the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).

• From: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
• Published: 16 May 2025
• Last updated: 15 September 2025 — See all updates

Documents

GCRF value for money assessment: executive summary (Year 5)

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GCRF value for money assessment: full report (Year 5)

Ref: DSIT 2025/021

PDF, 1.92 MB, 175 pages

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GCRF value for money assessment: executive summary (Year 4)

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GCRF value for money assessment: full report (Year 4)

Ref: DSIT 2025/010

PDF, 1.66 MB, 152 pages

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Details

This study is part of the 5-year evaluation of GCRF (2020 to 2025) that aims to assess whether GCRF’s realised outputs and achievements are in line with its expected outcomes.

• Year 4 value for money (VfM) assessment of GCRF (published, May 2025).
• Year 5 value for money (VfM): evaluation of the GCRF (published, September 2025).

The study assesses the performance of 50 GCRF awards using an innovative, rubric-based instrument. This assessment rubric includes 3 components:

• characteristics of the award
• dimensions and subdimensions
• performance standards, rated on a five-point scale

Both reports were produced in 2024. The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) has now closed. Since then, the government has taken the difficult decision to temporarily reduce Official Development Assistance (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.

Published 16 May 2025

Last updated 15 September 2025 + show all updates

1. 15 September 2025

   Year 5 Value for Money (VfM): Evaluation of the GCRF published.

2. 16 May 2025

   First published.