Policy paper

Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF): how the fund works

Published 30 June 2017

1. Overview

The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) is part of the UK’s official development assistance (ODA). Its aim is to support cutting-edge research and innovation that addresses the global issues affecting developing countries.

2. Detail

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.

BEIS aims to maximise the practical impact of research and innovation to improve the lives and opportunities of the global poor. In achieving this, the fund will grow the research and innovation capacity of developing countries, as well as contributing to the continued strength of the UK’s research and innovation system, and support wider UK prosperity and global influence.

GCRF 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, delivered by the Research Councils, the UK Academies, funding bodies and UK Space Agency.

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

3. Activities

BEIS have overall strategic oversight for the GCRF but it works primarily at the research base level and decisions on individual research priorities and excellence are made independently from BEIS. Delivery partners have collectively worked together to produce the overarching UK Strategy for the Global Challenges Research Fund (PDF, 336KB, 11 pages), which sets out the research areas linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

As similar challenges can affect multiple countries, the GCRF does not have an explicit priority list of developing countries. Instead, GCRF funding supports universities, industry and research organisations to do disciplinary and interdisciplinary challenge-led research and quick responses to emergencies where urgent research is needed.

While not a requirement, the GCRF may support bilateral and multilateral programmes with partners in other countries, but these will complement and not duplicate activities most appropriately supported under the Newton Fund.

The GCRF is overseen by the BEIS Research and Innovation ODA board, chaired by the UK’s Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation. Independent external advice on the strategic direction of the GCRF comes from the GCRF Strategic Advisory Group (SAG), with membership decided through an open nomination process.

4. Delivery partners

The GCRF is delivered through 9 UK delivery partners. For information on current activities, please visit the delivery partner websites:

For information on current activities, please visit the delivery partner websites:

5. Bidding for research funding

Change text to read:

For open funding opportunities visit the Global Challenges Research Fund website or follow the GCRF Twitter account.

6. Resources

7. Further information