UKRI Launches Second COVID-19 and Ethnicity Research Highlight Notice

UKRI Launches Second COVID-19 and Ethnicity Research Highlight Notice

In April, UKRI launched a COVID-19 and Ethnicity Highlight Notice as part of its COVID-19 Rapid Response Rolling Call to explore the association between ethnicity and COVID-19 in the general population, as well as on people working in health and social care from BAME backgrounds.

UKRI has now launched a second call to address the gaps in research knowledge in this area. It is clear that minority ethnic groups have been among the most vulnerable to both COVID-19 itself and to harmful social, economic and other impacts stemming from the pandemic. Research that explores the causes and dynamics of these vulnerabilities and impacts, and their ethical and broader socio-economic and cultural dimensions, is urgently required to build understanding of measures that might help mitigate poor outcomes.

Details of all projects funded under the UKRI call are available here. This call aims to highlight the need for research in areas that have not been covered sufficiently to date, and applicants need to consider how their proposed work complements existing UKRI investments in this area. Research supported by this highlight notice will therefore help to understand:

The vulnerability of minority ethnic groups to COVID-19.

The emerging social, economic and cultural impacts of the pandemic on these groups.

Proposals should acknowledge the disparate experiences of different ethnic groups and design this into their proposals. The types of COVID-related outcomes in scope are broad and include social, economic, educational and health outcomes. Proposals will need to show an awareness of the complex interplay between these factors, acknowledging the intersectional nature of forms of exclusion and disadvantage.

Although individual proposals are not necessarily expected to cover all aspects of this call, multidisciplinary consortium bids that will be able to demonstrate significant breadth of coverage of these issues are strongly encouraged. Those that are co-designed and/or co-produced with members of minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed. Proposals must set out a clear strategy for maximising the potential for knowledge exchange with policy makers, practitioners and with the UK’s minority ethnic communities.

Up to £5 million is available to fund one or two consortia for this call.

Applications should be submitted between 31 July and 18 September 2020 (23:59). Decisions will be taken within six weeks of the deadline following assessment by an interdisciplinary panel.

​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.