ESRC: Creating Opportunities Trial Accelerator Fund

25/05/2023

20/09/2023

Apply for funding to test and rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at spreading opportunities and reducing disparities in economic, health and social outcomes for people and places across the UK. The Creating Opportunities Trial Accelerator Fund is aimed at enabling the research and innovation community to test interventions on the ground, primarily using robust counterfactual impact evaluation methods. In doing so, grant holders will help address gaps and weaknesses in the existing evidence base underpinning the thematic areas covered by the UKRI creating opportunities, improving outcomes strategic theme. The fund will support ambitious research trials spanning multiple years, which are focused on tackling persistent local and regional inequalities within the UK. The full economic cost of your project can be between £1,000,000 and £2,500,000. ESRC will fund 80% of the full economic cost.

Proposals will be required to address one or more of the following three thematic areas within the UKRI creating opportunities, improving outcomes strategic theme: - sustainable economic growth and innovation​: addressing long-standing regional economic disparities and delivering solutions that focus on sustainable, inclusive growth and innovation - health inequalities: identifying sustainable and cost-effective solutions to address disparities in population health across the UK - community connectedness: strengthening civic engagements, relationships, trust, and local pride to reduce the social and economic marginalisation of groups and areas​

Applicant type Academic Institution; Commercial or Private Sector; Government or Public Sector; Individuals: Early Career and Emerging in Field; Individuals: Mid-Career to Established in Field Eligibility Note This is a UKRI wide funding opportunity. The principal investigator for this funding opportunity must be based at an organisation eligible for UKRI funding for the duration of the grant.