Commissioning Fund

Information about the Fund and how to apply

Background

The £1.3 million Commissioning Fund will support exemplar projects to further build behavioural research capability across the UK. This funding will facilitate the development and adoption of new approaches and ways of thinking that align with BR-UK objectives to: 

  • Increase scientific understanding of behavioural research and its contribution to tackling global challenges
  • Advance the methods used in behavioural research in a range of contexts
  • Generate impact by employing co-production of research proposals and championing widespread use of behavioural data sets. 

Research Purpose

Following a national capability scoping study conducted by BR-UK of behavioural researchers and research users across the UK, consultation with our International Scientific Advisory Board and funder, we have identified three broad methodological themes that we believe will advance the field and build further capability in behavioural research.

  1. Use of artificial intelligence (AI) in building knowledge and conducting behavioural research, including how best to integrate human and AI contributions.
  2. Integration of knowledge across types of data, academic disciplines and sectors, involving methods that: triangulate different types of data; improve integration of knowledge across disciplinary ‘silos’; and advance how behaviours are measured.
  3. Explaining variations in effectiveness of behavioural interventions across contexts (e.g. types of populations, settings and behaviours). This will enable the accurate generalisation of research findings to specific contexts. 

Applicants are required to identify which of these themes their proposal intends to address. In doing so, researchers can choose to explore their chosen theme with reference to specific topics, settings or sectors. Proposals should address societal and economic challenges currently facing the UK. Applicants are encouraged to consider how their research aligns with themes such as: building a greener future, developing a secure and resilient world, creating opportunities and improving outcomes in communities across the country, securing better health, ageing and wellbeing for everyone and/or other topics, as long as a persuasive case is made as to why the topic represents a current societal or economic challenge. 

Who can apply?

Applicants must be employed by an institution which is eligible to receive UKRI funding for the duration of the project. They do not need to hold an employment contract for the whole period of the proposed project. The research team should be composed of individuals at a range of career-stages with relevant experience, including lived experience wherever possible. Partnerships with academia, public bodies, voluntary sector and/or industry are encouraged.  

We strongly encourage applications led (or co-led in the case of Research Proposals) by Early Career Researchers, however, those applying as a PI must have a contract of employment that covers the duration of the project.  

Who cannot apply?

Accelerator Award Exclusions  

  • Anyone who does not identify as an early career researcher (refer to FAQ for definition) 
  • Any ECR that has previously been awarded a grant (as the PI) of over £100,000. 

Resubmissions: We will not accept resubmissions of projects that have been previously submitted to UKRI. 

Researchers who are in receipt of funding from the ESRC through the National Capability in Behavioural Research Investments at the time of the proposed research cannot apply to this fund. 

How can I apply?

There are two types of awards: Accelerator awards and Research Project Awards. 

Accelerator awards involve a single stage (please see FAQs below) and the deadline for submission is 12th August 2025. 

Research Projects involve a two stage process. Applicants should first submit an Expression of Interest, due by 31st July 2025. Those that are shortlisted will then be invited to complete a second stage application which will open in September with a submission deadline of 31st October 2025. 

You can apply to the Commissioning Fund by completing the relevant application form and submitting it via the Qualtrics platform.  Note that you will need a password to access the forms. The password is BR-UK2025.

If you are unable to submit via this platform or require an alternate format (i.e. large print or another language) please email us via enquiries@br-uk.ac.uk and include the words "Commissioning Fund" in the subject line. 

The  documents below are available to support your application process.  Please note that these are Word versions which can be used to view the complete application forms and to work offline if you wish.  Applications must be submitted via the relevant Qualtrics form. 

Please read the Funding Call Frequently Asked Questions for more information.  If you would like the FAQ in pdf format, please email us.

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