Launch of 2019 Newton Prize

The Newton Prize is a £1 million fund which recognises the excellent research and innovation the Newton Fund has invested in since its launch in 2014. Its aims are to raise the profile of the Newton Fund; recognise the excellent research and innovation supported by the Fund; demonstrate how UK partnerships with Newton countries are solving global challenges; and celebrate the impacts made as a result of these international collaborations.

The Newton Prize will be awarded for the best research or innovation that promotes the economic development and social welfare of Newton partner countries, Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list countries or addresses global challenges; aligning with the Newton Fund’s overall objectives. The Newton partner countries for 2019 are China, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Prizes will be awarded for eligible projects, fellowships and other types of awards that demonstrate an effect on, change to or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment, or quality of life, beyond academia and business, in one of these three countries. Three Newton Prizes of between £50,000 and £200,000 are available to each of the eligible partner countries, and one Chair’s Prize of between £200,000 and £500,000 is available for the project that best demonstrates knowledge and partnership working. Recipients of the award will need to spend the whole prize by March 2021, with projects starting in April 2020.

Funding must be used for activities that will advance the future research and innovation work of the research project, partnership, fellowship or other type of award. As the Newton Prize is funded by the Newton Fund, it must be spent on research and innovation activities that will address development challenges and therefore be Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible.

All current award holders in the eligible prize countries are eligible to apply provided the award has started and is sufficiently progressed to provide strong evidence that demonstrates the outcome and impact of the project before the Part A application closing date. Applicants who hold an award that has already concluded are also eligible to apply. Applicants will need to show that their proposal adheres to the central partnership theme of the Newton Fund, and clearly demonstrate that at least 50% of the prize money will be spent within the Newton Partner Country (and therefore 50% or less spent in the UK).

Part A applications should be submitted by the 19 April 2019 (12 noon) deadline.

More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.