UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund: Capacity Building for Water Security and Sanitation in Urban Displacement Settings

The UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) has launched a dedicated call for capacity building on water security and sanitation in urban displacement settings. This initiative aims to address the acute water and sanitation needs of over 70 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, with a significant proportion residing in urban areas. The call seeks to fund research and innovation projects that strengthen the capacity of local institutions, communities, and individuals to deliver sustainable WASH services in these contexts. The deadline for applications is August 1, 2026, with a typical project duration of 24 to 36 months and budgets between £500,000 and £2 million. Projects must be led by a UK-based research organization eligible for ODA funding, and must involve partners from ODA-eligible low- and middle-income countries. The fund emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining technical WASH solutions with social sciences, governance, and gender equality. The overarching goal is to contribute to SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) by building resilient systems that can withstand shocks and continue to serve displaced populations. The call is particularly timely given the rapid urbanization of displacement. Refugees and internally displaced persons often settle in slums or informal settlements where water and sanitation infrastructure is lacking or overwhelmed. This leads to increased risks of waterborne diseases, including cholera and typhoid, and exacerbates gender-based violence as women and girls often face safety risks when accessing latrines or water points. The UKRI GCRF opportunity recognizes that simply building infrastructure is not enough; capacity must be built at all levels—from national policies to community management. Therefore, proposals are expected to include training, institutional strengthening, and knowledge transfer components. The call also requires applicants to consider Leave No One Behind principles, ensuring that interventions benefit the most vulnerable, including women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Applicants should be aware that this is a competitive process. The UKRI will assess proposals based on their potential for impact, academic excellence, and value for money. Strong proposals will demonstrate a clear theory of change, a robust consortium with complementary skills, and a realistic plan for sustainability. Integrating GSLI's specialized training can significantly enhance a proposal's capacity-strengthening component. For example, GSLI's 'WASH' course provides up-to-date knowledge on low-cost, appropriate technologies, while 'Monitoring & Evaluation' training ensures that outcomes are measured rigorously. By partnering with GSLI, applicants can show that they have a proven mechanism for building local capacity, which is a key priority for the donor. This overview should encourage potential applicants to start forming consortia and developing their concept notes early, as the planning phase is critical to success.

Strategic Overview

The UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) has launched a dedicated call for capacity building on water security and sanitation in urban displacement settings. This initiative aims to address the acute water and sanitation needs of over 70 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, with a significant proportion residing in urban areas. The call seeks to fund research and innovation projects that strengthen the capacity of local institutions, communities, and individuals to deliver sustainable WASH services in these contexts. The deadline for applications is August 1, 2026, with a typical project duration of 24 to 36 months and budgets between £500,000 and £2 million. Projects must be led by a UK-based research organization eligible for ODA funding, and must involve partners from ODA-eligible low- and middle-income countries. The fund emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining technical WASH solutions with social sciences, governance, and gender equality. The overarching goal is to contribute to SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) by building resilient systems that can withstand shocks and continue to serve displaced populations. The call is particularly timely given the rapid urbanization of displacement. Refugees and internally displaced persons often settle in slums or informal settlements where water and sanitation infrastructure is lacking or overwhelmed. This leads to increased risks of waterborne diseases, including cholera and typhoid, and exacerbates gender-based violence as women and girls often face safety risks when accessing latrines or water points. The UKRI GCRF opportunity recognizes that simply building infrastructure is not enough; capacity must be built at all levels—from national policies to community management. Therefore, proposals are expected to include training, institutional strengthening, and knowledge transfer components. The call also requires applicants to consider Leave No One Behind principles, ensuring that interventions benefit the most vulnerable, including women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Applicants should be aware that this is a competitive process. The UKRI will assess proposals based on their potential for impact, academic excellence, and value for money. Strong proposals will demonstrate a clear theory of change, a robust consortium with complementary skills, and a realistic plan for sustainability. Integrating GSLI's specialized training can significantly enhance a proposal's capacity-strengthening component. For example, GSLI's 'WASH' course provides up-to-date knowledge on low-cost, appropriate technologies, while 'Monitoring & Evaluation' training ensures that outcomes are measured rigorously. By partnering with GSLI, applicants can show that they have a proven mechanism for building local capacity, which is a key priority for the donor. This overview should encourage potential applicants to start forming consortia and developing their concept notes early, as the planning phase is critical to success.

Who is it For?

This opportunity is primarily aimed at UK-based research organizations (universities, research institutes, and other eligible bodies) that can lead consortia involving partners from ODA-eligible countries. Eligible lead applicants must be recognized by UKRI as eligible for ODA funding, typically through the Research Councils or Innovate UK. International partners, including NGOs, multilateral agencies, local governments, and community-based organizations, must contribute to the capacity-building objectives. The call specifically encourages interdisciplinary teams that combine WASH engineering, public health, urban planning, social policy, and governance. Organizations with a track record in displacement contexts—such as refugee camps, informal settlements, or urban slums—will be prioritized. For-profit entities can participate as partners but not as lead applicants. The target beneficiaries are urban displaced populations (refugees, IDPs, and host communities) with emphasis on the most vulnerable, including women, children, elderly, and people with disabilities. Consortia must demonstrate how they will strengthen local capacities—through training, institutional support, and technology transfer—to ensure long-term sustainability. Previous experience in ODA-funded projects and alignment with the UK Aid Strategy is advantageous. GSLI's courses in WASH, Public Health, and Project Management can help teams build skills needed for effective implementation.

Priorities

The donor's global priorities under this call are centered on achieving SDG 6 targets for displaced populations in urban settings. Key investment KPIs include: (1) Number of individuals gaining access to safely managed water and sanitation services; (2) Strengthened institutional capacity of local service providers (e.g., utilities, municipal departments); (3) Development and adoption of innovative WASH technologies adapted to urban displacement contexts; (4) Improved hygiene behavior change outcomes; (5) Enhanced gender-sensitive and socially inclusive WASH governance; (6) Evidence-based policy recommendations for urban displacement WASH strategies. The UKRI expects projects to address both immediate needs and long-term resilience, with a focus on climate adaptation, conflict sensitivity, and cost-effectiveness. Proposals must demonstrate how they will generate scalable solutions that can be replicated across similar contexts. Cross-cutting themes include digital innovation (e.g., smart water metering, remote monitoring), circular economy approaches (water reuse, resource recovery), and community engagement. Funding is limited to ODA-eligible countries listed on the OECD DAC list. The call also prioritizes partnerships that leverage existing UKRI investments and align with the GCRF's strategic portfolio on global challenges.

Eligibility

Financial eligibility requires that the lead applicant be a UK-based organization eligible for UKRI ODA funding, with the ability to manage grants up to £2 million over 24-36 months. The budget must demonstrate additionality (ODA compliance) and value for money. Over 80% of the funding must be directed to activities in ODA-eligible countries. Indirect costs are capped at 20% of total direct costs. Eligible costs include staff salaries, equipment, travel, consumables, and sub-contracts to international partners. Institutional audits: lead organizations must have up-to-date UKRI financial assurance documentation (e.g., FEC certificate) and a track record of managing ODA grants. International partners must provide audited financial statements or equivalent, and be legally registered in their country. Spatial audit: project activities must occur in urban displacement settings within ODA-eligible countries. Proposals must include a geographical scope with justification. Legal compliance: projects must adhere to UKRI's terms and conditions, including ODA compliance, anti-slavery, and anti-fraud policies. Environmental impact assessments may be required for large-scale infrastructure components. All partners must sign a collaboration agreement detailing IP, data sharing, and governance. Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) audits are mandatory, with a requirement to integrate GESI throughout the project lifecycle.

Path to Success

To successfully secure this UKRI GCRF grant, follow this strategic roadmap integrating GSLI capabilities: Step 1: Consortium Formation & Capacity Assessment (Months 1-2). Identify a UK-based lead research organization (e.g., university with WASH expertise) and recruit international partners from target ODA-eligible countries. Conduct a rapid capacity assessment of local partners using GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation framework to identify gaps in WASH service delivery, governance, and financial management. Engage GSLI to deliver a customized 'Project Management for Development' short course for the core team to align on ODA compliance and results-based management. This step ensures a robust, coordinated consortium with clear roles and shared vision. Step 2: Co-Creation of Theory of Change & Proposal Development (Months 3-4). Facilitate participatory workshops with local communities and stakeholders to co-design interventions that address root causes of water insecurity. Use GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' expertise to craft a compelling narrative aligned with UKRI's priorities: SDG 6, Leave No One Behind, and GESI. Incorporate GSLI's 'Grants Management' guidance to design a budget that demonstrates value for money and ODA eligibility. The theory of change should link capacity-building activities (training, infrastructure, policy) to measurable outcomes (e.g., number of people with safe water access). Step 3: Implementation Planning & Risk Mitigation (Month 5). Develop a detailed implementation plan with phased activities, milestones, and risk register. Leverage GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' course to establish robust financial controls and fraud prevention measures. Use GSLI's 'Procurement & Supply Chain' training to design transparent procurement procedures for WASH materials. Ensure risk mitigation protocols cover: (a) political instability (scenario planning), (b) technical failures (pilot testing), (c) community resistance (participatory governance), and (d) fiduciary risks (independent audits). Step 4: Submission & Engagement (Month 6). Submit the proposal by August 1, 2026, after rigorous internal review. Engage with UKRI during the assessment period by providing clarifications as needed. Upon award, onboard GSLI for continuous capacity building throughout the project: 'WASH' and 'Public Health & Epidemiology' courses for staff, and M&E training for adaptive management. This integration ensures sustainability and impact, positioning the consortium for future funding.

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Deadline: 2026-08-01

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal