11 June 2001

Community Fund launches research grants programme

Lottery money for social and medical research

The Community Fund has today launched a research grants programme, with the aim of promoting health and social well-being.

The Community Fund is particularly encouraging applications to fund research projects that focus on young people, older people, Black and minority ethnic groups and those with learning difficulties. The Fund is committed to supporting social inclusion and expects projects to meet this objective.

Successful applications will need to demonstrate the involvement of those who will benefit from the project and a strategy for the dissemination of the research results. It will distribute up to £8 million in grants in the first year to meet these aims.

Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council of Voluntary Organisations and Council Member of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), welcomed the introduction of the programme: "The Community Fund has made it clear that it wants to support charities who need to research into areas of social disadvantage in order to combat it more effectively. This will be a valuable and innovative programme for the voluntary sector."

Diana Brittan, Chair, Community Fund, said: "This programme will encourage high quality research to help charities and voluntary organisations develop innovative responses to today's issues and propose strategies to address tomorrow's concerns. We are hoping that charities will be encouraged to increase their involvement in research activities, and co-operate with research bodies."

The programme will have no closing dates for applications, and decisions on grants will be made twice a year. Depending on the type and volume of applications, the Community Fund expects to make its first awards under the new programme in Winter 2001 and then Spring 2002.

Media enquiries: Robert Blow 020 7747 5227

Details of the programme are published in the application pack, which is available by calling 0845 791 9191 or from the "Applying for a grant" section of this website.