Who funds development sciences research?

UKCDS members

The 13 members who make up UKCDS each fund and contribute to development sciences research differently.

All UKCDS members are committed to enhancing the impact of the research they fund on development.  

With the exception of the Department for International Development (DFID), the majority of members' remits are not focussed on international development. However, the research they support is often relevant to development, such as research on crop science, infectious disease, climate change and low-carbon energy.

Research councils

The priority of all UK research councils is to support UK capacity to undertake excellent research. However, all research councils who are UKCDS members recognise that UK science can make an important contribution to international development. 

Research council funding is delivered through responsive mode and strategic programmes. Responsive mode funding supports excellent research in response to new ideas from research groups or individuals. Proposals can be submitted at any time, for any type of research within the council's remit.

Councils also regularly issue calls for proposals in specific areas for strategic programmes. This type of funding focuses on a particular area of science or policy.

See the links below for more information on the funding priorities and programmes of each research council.

• Natural Environment Research Council
• Engineering and Physical Sciences research Council
• Economic and Social Sciences Research Council
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
• Medical Research Council

Government departments

Most UK government departments, apart from DFID, play only a small role in development science research.

Their interest and contributions to the international development agenda are often on a policy level. For example, the Department of Health (DH) leads the UK's global health strategy and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has responsibility for international climate change negotiations. 

All departments have an interest in sharing their research and building international partnerships.

DFID has committed £1billion for development research over five years (2008-2013). This funding will be distributed in three ways:

• Multi-lateral or multi-funded research programmes with other donors or funders – this includes funding to international research organisations such as the  Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
• Public and Private Partnerships - most in the area of human health, but one in animal health. 
• Bilateral Funded Programmes – usually quite large contracts that are open to competitive bids. An example of this are the Research Programme Consortia. The Consortia have a lead organisation, which can be based in or outside the UK. Some of the partner institutions of the Consortia must be based in developing countries. Calls are issued for expressions of interest in defined areas. 

More information on DFID-funded research.

The Wellcome Trust

An independent charity, the Wellcome Trust supports scientists in the UK and overseas through research grants, personal awards and long-term programmes. The trust provides funding for international development research related to public health and tropical medicine. It also offers a number of fellowships, grants and awards for medical scientists in developing countries.

More information on The Wellcome Trust research funding schemes.

Other UK funders of research relevent to development

A number of organisations outside of UKCDS fund development-related research. These include:

• The Leverhulme Trust 
• The Gatsby Foundation
• British Council 
• Royal Society

International funders

Further information on international funders such as the Gates Foundation will be posted here shortly.