The Research Commissioning Centre has launched an innovative Impact Fund designed to maximise the real-world impact of FCDO’s research investments. This competitive funding initiative provides additional funds for promising research projects that demonstrate potential for enhanced societal impact.
The IF represents a strategic approach to research funding, offering streamlined, time-sensitive support to capitalize on impact opportunities. Through a simplified peer review process, the fund will evaluate applications based on their potential to translate research findings into practical solutions that improve lives and address pressing societal challenges.
How to apply
In 2025, the IF is in a pilot phase and is accepting applications for Phase 2 of the pilot. The pilot phase is invite-only. We hope to scale the Fund, pending the successful completion of the pilot, in 2026.
Proposals submitted to the IF will be assessed using the following criteria.
Assessment criteria:
- Impact Potential (35%): Clarity and significance of expected outcomes, clear pathways to potential impact.
- Feasibility (25%): Practical and robust implementation plans.
- Additionality (20%): Creating new value beyond existing work.
- Equity and Partnerships (10%): Proposals carefully consider equity and inclusion and partnerships for delivery of the work are equitable.
- Budget and Value for Money (10%): Efficient use of resources to maximise impact per pound invested.
Eligibility criteria
- Connection to FCDO: The proposal must be linked to research funded by FCDO’s Research and Evidence Directorate (RED). Research with partial FCDO-funding is eligible.
- Additionality: The proposal must not duplicate existing funding with the same purpose.
- Timeframe: Activities under the Pilot Phase 2 must be completed by February 2027.
- Budget: Funding requests must not exceed £30,000. We particularly welcome smaller applications with shorter timelines.
We particularly encourage applications that are locally led, from diverse geographic regions, thematic areas and career stages.
Resources
Supporting information
Contact
Banner image: Delegates in the Business and Innovation Hub at the UK-Africa Investment Summit, which took place in London on 20 January 2020 | ©DFID – UK Department for International Development
Your starting point for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funded research and development.
Quick links
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated.
