Nuffield Foundation General Election Analysis and Briefing Fund

Grant funding is provided for individual and joint research projects led by researchers based at UK organisations to examine key policy areas or the economic and social context of the upcoming UK general election.

The Nuffield Foundation is an independent charitable trust with a mission to advance educational opportunities and social wellbeing in a just and inclusive society. It funds research and analysis that informs social policy, primarily in education, welfare and justice. It also provides opportunities for young people to develop skills and confidence in science and research.

The Nuffield Foundation General Election Analysis and Briefing Fund offers grants to researchers who will undertake analysis and provide evidence-based briefings both before and/or during the official election campaign, with the next UK general election taking place by January 2025. All analysis must be politically impartial. Local and/or regional breakdowns of findings are encouraged, but projects should cover the whole UK or one or more of its constituent nations.

The aims are to: 

• Supply analytical context to inform the development of policies and pledges by political parties. 
• Drive up the reliability and accuracy of public claims through transparent and impartial assessment.
• Improve understanding of the factual evidence on key economic and social policy issues among the public, media and other commentators, to support high-quality debate and well-informed voting decisions. 

Projects that are of particular interest would focus on the following areas:

The economic and social context for the election eg:

• The public finances.
• The economy.
• Productivity.
• Living standards.
• The cost of living.

Specific key policy areas eg:

• Tax.
• Welfare.
• Health or social care.
• Pensions.
• Responses to the climate crisis.

It is expected that two to four projects focusing on general analysis and briefing across policy areas will be funded. One to two exceptional proposals examining a specific policy area in depth will also be considered for funding if applicants demonstrate that the project has the potential for substantial impact in the relevant policy sphere. Candidates may apply to carry out either or both types of projects.