What are GCRF and Official Development Assistance?

The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) is a £1.5 billion fund to support research addressing challenges faced by developing countries. As GCRF is part of the UK's 0.7% budget commitment for development aid, in order to be eligible to receive GCRF funding, the proposed research activity must be ODA compliant.

UKRI state that ODA funded activity focuses on outcomes that promote the long-term sustainable growth of countries on the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list and is administered with the promotion of the economic development and welfare of developing countries as its main objective.

All GCRF applications are required to submit a statement of ODA compliance. UKRI have provided guidance on ODA compliance on their website. This is a stand-alone document used to decide whether to pass the application on for review. If this statement does not meet the requirements, the proposal will not go for review.