Global Challenges Fund
Briefing & Discussion Session
16 February 2016
Background & Context
Autumn 2015 statement announced £4.7bn for Science up to 2021
and £1.5bn for a Global Challenges Fund (GCF):
– ‘to ensure UK science takes the lead in addressing the problems
faced by developing countries whilst developing UK’s ability to
deliver cutting-edge research’.
Lack of clarity as regards final settlement for science
– Not clear whether GCF represents additional investment
– Uncertainties also remain with regards to HEIF, Innovate UK
funding and the IAAs
– Jo Johnstone: Newton Fund for international research to double
from £75m p/a to £150m p/a by 2021
– Budgets will be formally allocated to funding bodies in mid
February 2016
Administration
Research Councils responsible for identifying potentially eligible
activities
Aligned to the OECD definition of ODA. Also relevant are the UN
Sustainable Development Goals
Funding is expected to come on stream this calendar year
Expect opportunities to develop or expand ODA-relevant projects at
short notice for work that can spend this calendar year
Calls already announced by
–
–
–
BBSRC: List of projects requested; Warwick submitted 7 projects and I proposal for ‘pumppriming’ support
MRC: £1M to tackle the Zika Virus. Closes 22 Feb 2016; Bids of £100-150k for 12-18 months;
Jointly funded project with FACEPE following a call for applications from Newton Fund
AHRC: Networking Scheme - Arts & Humanities contributions to debates around international
development & UN 2030. ODA eligibility criteria applied. Closes 31 May 2016;Follow-on Fund –
Enhance engagement with, and impacts from, AHRC funded research in ODA countries. Closes
31 May 2016
ODEC definition of ODA: RCUK
Interpretation
Projects are eligible if they:
a) Aim to promote welfare & economic
development of a country on the DAC list
of ODA recipients (see handout)
b) Are designed to address a development
need; and
c) Focus on developing country problems
RCUK Interpretation
‘Only research directly & primarily relevant to the
problems of developing countries…but costs may still be
counted as ODA when research is carried out in a
developed country’
Research proposal should evidence an immediate or
longer-term impact on DAC countries;
Does not need to be solely relevant to developing
countries, but these should be the primary
beneficiary/ies
Capacity Building
Research and innovation capacity building initiatives to support ODA
countries to:
– Increase the skills and knowledge base
– Support the development of research infrastructure
Should be aimed at improving ability of developing countries to
undertake & disseminate research to maximise its impact on poverty
and economic growth
Next Steps
How could potential ODA projects or programmes be aligned with
existing RCUK portfolios:
– for example by establishing or enhancing collaborations and institutional links with
developing regions; pump-priming future joint centres and research programmes
developing links with international strategic programmes
Moving Forward
– GRPs as a key vehicle
– Confirmation of existing Warwick-ODA partnerships: R&IS and Global Engagement
Team
– Identify synergies between RCUK calls, Newton Fund, Student Mobility
– R&IS support around key calls
– Pipelining of potential projects – building on existing activities/partnerships
– Disseminate knowledge of Global Challenges Fund and the eligibility criteria
throughout academy and administration: via R&IS, Global Engagement, GRPs,
Faculty Chairs, HoDs, Research Leads