A key funder for social policy research is shifting its strategic focus to tackle what it called the UK¡¯s five biggest social and economic challenges, backed by a ?150 million investment.

As part of its new strategic review, the Nuffield Foundation will commit ?30 million annually over the next five years towards problems which are seen as holding back the country¡¯s future prosperity and well-being.

The foundation warned that the UK is ¡°not immune¡± from?the global challenges posed?by new technologies, repeated economic shocks and attacks on scientific enquiry and social equality.

¡°Our long-standing commitment to bring rigour, sound evidence and nuance to bear on social problems is sorely needed to meet the complexity of today¡¯s challenges,¡± its report says.

ÌÇÐÄVlog

Over the next five years, the foundation will seek to fund work?that prioritises prosperity, inclusiveness, and fairness and?that helps to address five of the most pressing challenges.

These are: the social foundations of future economic success; the effect of shifting demographics on communities, public services and finances; the societal and economic impact of the climate transition; the rapid acceleration of science and technological developments on society; and the challenge of nurturing trust in institutions in polarised times.

ÌÇÐÄVlog

Gavin Kelly, chief executive of the foundation, said the scale and breadth of social and economic challenges facing the UK demanded a concerted response.

¡°The country is grappling with long-term economic stagnation, the rising costs of ageing, the imperative to decarbonise our economy and society, and technological advancements that are outpacing our systems of governance,¡± he added.

¡°At the same time, some of our public institutions are struggling to maintain public trust, and the threads that bind our communities are becoming increasingly frayed.¡±

The foundation plans to award grants, fund ¡°innovative interventions¡±,?conduct its own research and analysis, create new institutional capability, and develop student pathways.

ÌÇÐÄVlog

The ?150 million spending commitment will fund social and economic policy research grants, with ringfenced support for work on the future of racial diversity, and ill-health and disability research.

Researchers are coming under increasing pressure from the UK government to demonstrate how their work aligns with Labour¡¯s ¡°missions¡± including boosting economic growth and fostering equality of opportunity.

Universities fear support for more ¡°blue-sky¡± research may suffer as a result, with sector leaders stressing that a balance is needed.

¡°As one of the foremost funders of UK social policy research, it is incumbent upon us to harness our resources and deploy them towards generating viable solutions to the key social questions facing the country,¡± said Kelly.

ÌÇÐÄVlog

¡°Our new strategic review commits us to an ambitious agenda that seeks to use sound evidence to improve people¡¯s lives and create a fairer future.¡±

In addition, the foundation is to reopen its ¡°strategic fund¡±, with ?15 million in funding reserved for supporting ambitious and transformational research proposals that target the most significant developments shaping the UK public policy agenda.

ÌÇÐÄVlog

The fund, which is open from now until March 2026, will be?available?to ¡°ambitious, cross-cutting funding applications that seek to address some of the most pressing social challenges of our time¡±. Grant awards of ?1 million to ?3 million are available for successful applicants.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com