CfI: Boosting fathers’ engagement to improve child outcomes
UKRI funds research and innovation projects to develop evidence-based solutions that boost fathers’ engagement and improve child learning and development outcomes.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: June 10, 2026 (applications due by 11:00am UK time)
Funding Amounts: Up to £2,000,000 total; individual contracts between £200,000 and £500,000 (inclusive of VAT) for 12-month projects; up to 10 contracts expected.
Summary: Funding for innovative interventions, technologies, or frameworks to increase fathers’ engagement and improve child learning and development outcomes.
Key Information: Projects must start August 1, 2026, last 12 months, and primarily benefit UK families.
Description
This funding opportunity, administered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through Innovate UK, seeks proposals for innovative interventions, technologies, and frameworks that boost fathers’ engagement in their children’s lives to improve learning and development outcomes. The competition is part of the UKRI Breaking Down Barriers to Opportunity Mission and aims to address structural, cultural, or practical barriers to paternal involvement, build fathers’ confidence and skills as caregivers, and enhance the quality and quantity of father-child interactions. Projects must ultimately demonstrate measurable improvements in child development and educational outcomes through increased paternal engagement, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based, scalable, and impactful solutions.
