Research

Global Research and Technology Development delivers outcome-focused research and innovation that harnesses UK scientific strengths and equitable international science partnerships to reduce poverty and solve complex global challenges, achieving impact at scale.

GRTD programmes

GRTD delivers high quality research and development in UK’s international development and foreign policy priority areas. We partner with private sector, academic institutions and research organisations to commission demand-responsive research and support evidence-informed decision-making at Posts and across the FCDO. We also invest in the generation and synthesis of rigorous research on implementation science through specialist ‘What Works’ platforms looking at what works in adopting and implementing evidence-based interventions.

Our programme portfolio comprises a large set of discrete programmes. Information on the full range of our ODA projects in different sectors and geographies can be found on:

The Development Tracker (available on GOV.UK) provides details on the international development programmes funded by FCDO, other government departments and partners.
MODARI the Mapping ODA research and innovation data tool provides information on existing ODA funded research projects.

GRTD Publications

You can find the latest research reports and outputs from our funding via the following links

Latest

Publications

Find the latest reports, papers, briefs and analysis for research supported by the Research Commissioning Centre (RCC) in this section. This section is under construction.

Supporting Pastoralism and Agriculture in Recurrent and Protracted Crises

Ensuring resilience in the face of climate change, conflict, and socioeconomic instability is a central goal of global development policy. This report systematically maps the literature on the effectiveness of interventions to promote resilience and food security in the Middle East, Sahel, and Horn of Africa Regions. The report finds an uneven distribution of evidence across countries, interventions, and outcomes. The report offers several recommendations for additional research to probe evidence gaps.

Improving food security and livelihoods through interventions to reduce postharvest losses in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

Significant crop losses at and after harvest continue to undermine food security and livelihoods. This project identifies evidence-based strategies to reduce postharvest losses of key food crops through a systematic scoping review and in-country consultations.

Mapping the shadow economy: A systematic review of shadow economy measurement methods and policy measures in Baltic States, Cyprus, Georgia, Malta and Moldova

This FCDO RCC-supported project examines how governments in the Baltic States, Cyprus, Georgia, Malta, and Moldova can better measure and reduce informal economic activity. Through systematic reviews and stakeholder engagement, the project explores evidence-informed approaches to strengthening formal economic participation and public trust.

Understanding evidence use in policymaking in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

The use of evidence in policymaking has significant implications for sustainable economic development, affecting governance, growth, and societal outcomes. A new research programme supported by the FCDO’s Research Commissioning Centre is examining how policymakers engage with evidence, and what influences evidence uptake in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, aiming to strengthen policymaking processes.

Understanding the impacts of El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole in the Indo-Pacific

Climate events have significant consequences on societies and economies, deeply affecting people’s livelihoods, income, food security, and health conditions. Climate patterns can influence weather in ways that can have cascading effects on both the local and global scales. With support from the FCDO’s Research Commissioning Centre, 3ie is examining the evidence of the effects of El Niño and the positive Indian Ocean Dipole on health, economics, conflict, migration, and food security across low- and middle-income countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

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.