Growth Roundtable
Growth Roundtable supports a policy research hub bringing together researchers, government and business to commission evidence on UK investment barriers and inform changes that advance economic growth.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: November 5, 2026 (Applications open, 9:00am UK time) | November 17, 2026 (Applicant webinar) | January 7, 2027 (Closing date, 4:00pm UK time) | April 1, 2027 (Latest project start)
Funding Amounts: One award up to £2.95 million for up to 36 months; normally 80% full economic cost
Summary: Establish an applied policy research hub commissioning evidence on regulatory and institutional barriers to UK investment and economic growth.
Key Information: The award holder must commission small projects through flexible funding, not primarily advance academic knowledge.
Description
UK Research and Innovation’s Growth Roundtable will fund an applied policy research and engagement project addressing barriers to investment across the UK economy. With the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as a lead funder, it seeks timely, actionable evidence on the regulatory, institutional, market and governance conditions supporting investment, innovation, productivity and sustainable growth. Regulatory and institutional improvements related to AI and other emerging technologies are a particular interest.
The award holder will act as a central hub, bringing together expertise from research, government, regulation, business and investment. Through a flexible regranting model, it will commission, curate and publish targeted research, analytical studies and evidence reviews responding to policy needs. Outputs should translate evidence into practical recommendations that reach policymakers, regulators and others able to implement change.
