The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) is a £1.5 billion fund announced by the UK Government to support cutting-edge research that addresses the challenges 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 is administered through delivery partners including the Research Councils and national academies.

GCRF forms part of the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment, which is monitored by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). ODA-funded activity focuses on outcomes that promote the long-term sustainable growth of countries on the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list. GCRF funding will be awarded in a manner that fits with Official ODA guidelines.

GCRF will provide a large number of opportunities for the community here at Imperial and senior management are supporting a range of activities to provide tools and assistance for our community to help them maximise their success in GCRF schemes.

The College is investing in a number of initiatives to support our community to engage with the opportunities available within the GCRF, more information on these can be found following the links below, we are also encouraging interested members of the community to sign up to our GCRF distribution list, to receive email updates from us regarding events we will be holding and information on calls we will be managing, please contact the Research Office.