BU Research Blog

The latest round of an internal competition to allocate BU’s Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) grant opens 4th October 2019 with deadline for applications of 11th November 2019.

Bournemouth University receives an annual block grant funding from Research England to undertake research as part of the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) that is an integral part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment. At BU this funding will once again be allocated via an open competition in accordance with BU QR GCRF three-year institutional strategy. The aim is to support a diverse portfolio of research activities with the common feature that they all in some way address the challenges defined for developing countries in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (the SDGs).

Funding available:

The GCRF Panel on behalf of the University are pleased to formally announce the 2019/2020 call for GCRF funded projects with three scheme pathways available to applicants. Prospective applicants should consult extensively the BU GCRF funding call specification for guidance on eligibility, available funding and requirements.  There is funding of £216,000 available over the period 1 January 2020 to 31 July 2021 and this will be allocated across the three schemes based on merit.   Whilst all three schemes can involve any DAC-listed countries, the primary focus must be on the participation of and benefits to LDCs and LICs in South Asia and Africa.

The three schemes are:

Scheme 1: GCRF New Project Awards
It is intended to support well-defined research projects enabling BU researchers to collaborate with, and bring benefits to, DAC listed countries.

Scheme 2: GCRF Project Cluster/Network Awards
The scheme will support well-defined applications that develop GCRF research clusters/networks utilising a minimum of two GCRF recognised projects (funded through BU or external GCRF funds ) and seek to directly enhance the depth and breadth of ODA-compliant impact.

Scheme 3: GCRF Project Cluster/Network Awards

The scheme will support well-defined applications that develop GCRF research clusters/networks utilising a minimum of two GCRF recognised projects (funded through BU or external GCRF funds ) and seek to directly enhance the depth and breadth of ODA-compliant impact.

Application process

Applications are welcome from academic and research staff from any faculty or department at BU. For staff on fixed-term contracts, their existing employment contract must outlast the duration of the project. All activity must be ODA eligible and fit both the BU priority objectives and the overall aim of GCRF (indicated in the section ‘Purpose of Funding’). This call aims to fund new projects. The GCRF panel expects that, wherever possible, applications will be headed by PIs who do not hold existing GCRF grants. PIs of existing GCRF grants are eligible to apply for Scheme 2 ONLY but proposals must clearly demonstrate how it expands and innovates from the existing projects and the new distinctive impacts they intend to create.

To apply, colleagues must complete the proposal form (annex 1). The deadline for submissions is 5 pm (GMT) on 8 November 2019. Successful applicants will receive notification by 6 December 2019. Completed application forms should be sent to Rhyannan Hurst, Panel Clerk (GCRF@bournemouth.ac.uk ). A full economic costing is not necessary.