Written by UKCDR Team, edited by Mariam Jallow and Lucy Lawrenson
A year in review
UKCDR has endeavoured to fulfil its mission of amplifying the value and impact of research for international development by supporting collaboration between UK research funders. Over the past year, our combined expertise in policy, data, communications, and operations has played a key role in our work to support the international development sector. In this blog, UKCDR’s team members take a moment to spotlight the major achievements of 2024, sharing with stakeholders our commitment to coherent, cohesive, and equitable ODA investment.
I ︱Data analysis, mapping, foresight: more than numbers
Mapping ODA Research and Innovation (MODARI) Tool
Last year, we built on user feedback to refine the MODARI tool. The dashboard now includes research themes, enabling users to analyse the research focuses across funders, regions, and countries. To support evidence-informed decision-making, we produced user-friendly regional summaries. Stakeholders continue to use MODARI’s data to inform spending decisions and increase coherence across UK government departments.
The UK Research Impact Data Tool
In August 2024, we launched the UK Research Impact Data Tool, an innovative visualiser that maps the societal impact of international development research. Drawing from the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 impact case studies, this tool allows users to compare various academic units and higher education institutions. It has quickly become an essential resource for impact and evaluation teams within UK funding institutions, such as DSIT, UKRI, and NIHR, helping them refine their decision-making processes.
Climate Change Dashboard Development
We continued our focus on climate change research by developing a dashboard specifically designed to track research initiatives in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs). Looking ahead, a public-facing version of this dashboard will be launched in 2025 to increase the visibility of climate change research funding and highlight important funding flows, driving more strategic investments.
Philanthropy Project
2024 marked the launch of the UKCDR Philanthropy Project, which explores the growing role of philanthropic funders in global development research. This initiative seeks to map the philanthropic funding landscape, identifying areas of overlap with public funding and uncovering opportunities for future collaboration. A comprehensive report is expected in Autumn 2025.
II︱Sharing information and best practice: from research to results
Equitable Partnerships
UKCDR has remained committed to promoting equitable partnerships in international development research throughout 2024, shifting our focus to the dynamics between UK-based funders and their counterparts in LMICs. Through interviews and group meetings with global funders, UKCDR has gathered insights into how partnerships are valued and prioritised across regions. This research, set for publication in 2025, will offer guidance for shaping future equitable partnerships, helping further embed equity into partnerships at all levels of the research ecosystem.
Funding Mechanisms
In 2024, UKCDR continued to explore how various funding mechanisms support research in LMICs, building on the success of our 2023 report, Lessons Learned from ODA Research Funds. By examining seven major UK-based funding sources, UKCDR utilised both quantitative and qualitative analysis to provide a comprehensive overview of the funding landscape. The resulting report, to be published later in January 2025, offers valuable insights into funding dynamics, helping inform strategic decisions for the future development of research funds.
Research Capacity Strengthening (RCS)
In November 2024, we hosted a cross-funder consultation on Research Capacity Strengthening, bringing together UK and international funders in the field of Global Health Research (GHR). This event led to a compilation of valuable insights, lessons learned, and best practices, which directly influenced the Department of Health and Social Care’s RCS vision and its response to recommendations made by the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI).
Demonstrating the Value of UK’s Investment
In April 2024, we published the booklet Evidencing the Wide-Reaching Benefits of International Development Research, featuring seven impactful case studies demonstrating the global value of UK-funded research. These case studies helped funders, including UKRI, FCDO, and NIHR, better understand the broader impacts of their investments, reinforcing the long-term value of such funding.
Accelerating International Development through UK Science and Technology
In September, UKCDR published a paper outlining how UK-funded international development research has made a measurable difference worldwide. Drawing on evidence from our Case Studies Hub, the paper highlights key scientific and technological advances driven by UK research investments, emphasizing the importance of sustained funding.
III︱Convening for joint action: the power of collaboration
OECD CSSTP Ministerial Meeting
On 22 April 2024, UKCDR convened a side event with the Agence Française de Développement at the OECD CSTP Ministerial meeting. This event brought together global funders of research for development to highlight the critical role research plays in advancing development goals. Through roundtable discussions, participants explored how data can improve the coordination and coherence of research funding.
Annual Stakeholder Event 2024
On September 12, UKCDR hosted its Annual Stakeholder Event at the Royal Society in London, with over 100 attendees. The event featured a vibrant research showcase and a panel discussion on the urgent need for research in driving international development, especially in a time of constrained budgets. The panel featured leading experts, including Dr Joanes Atela and Professor Charlotte Watts, who discussed how research can tackle global challenges.
Science Summit at the UN General Assembly (SSUNGA)
A busy year for UKCDR, we held our third annual session at SSUNGA on September 16, focusing on “Unlocking the potential of data for decision-making in international development”. The session, moderated by Naser Faruqui, brought together experts to discuss the vital role of data in supporting evidence-based decision-making and improving the global research ecosystem.
Communications Forum 2024
On September 25, UKCDR hosted its annual Communications Forum in partnership with the International Development Centre. The forum provided a platform for research communications professionals to explore how to effectively use evidence from research to advocate for funding and increase engagement. The event featured presentations from leading experts in the field, offering new insights into how communication strategies can elevate the impact of development research.
Pandemic PACT Launch
The long-anticipated launch of the Pandemic PACT programme took place on 20 March 2024. The initiative, focused on tracking data on research funding and evidence for diseases with outbreak potential, builds and expands on lessons learned from the COVID-19 Research Project Tracker and COVID CIRCLE initiative. The programme, led by GLOPID-R with UKCDR and the Pandemic Science’s Institute, continues to act as a tool for coordination, aimed at improving preparedness through collaboration, and enacting shared research agendas to facilitate rapid research response.
Funder Groups Major Highlights
Epidemics Group Report
In August 2024, the Epidemic Preparedness and Response Group (EPRG) published its 2020-2023 report, which summarized funding activities related to COVID-19, Ebola, and Mpox. The report also highlighted the EPRG’s role in fostering collaboration among UK epidemic funders and aligning their activities with global health efforts.
EPRG Mapping Analysis Workshop
In November 2024, UKCDR launched a mapping analysis initiative for the EPRG group, which will shape the 2025 agenda for research on Pandemic Preparedness and Response (PPR). This initiative will strengthen the coordination of investments in PPR research and ensure UK funders are aligned with global priorities in health security.
Health Funders Forum (HFF)
In 2024, UKCDR played a key role in advancing global health research by convening two successful HFF meetings. These meetings facilitated valuable discussions on shared challenges, allowed funders to showcase their initiatives, and promoted collaboration for future work. UKCDR’s leadership in these dialogues reinforced its role in driving impactful health research and fostering innovation in global health.