What Works Centre for a Climate Resilient UK

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, Scottish Government, and Welsh Government, are inviting applications for an independent What Works Centre (WWC) for a Climate Resilient UK.

This Centre will aim to transform how the UK adapts, and builds resilience to the current, and projected, impacts of climate change. It will work with stakeholders to generate, synthesise and mobilise evidence to inform and accelerate adaptation pilots, interventions and actions.

The maximum funder contribution of your centre can be up to £21.1 million.  

Who can apply:

• Project lead: UK-based research organisation.

• Project co-leads: Business, third sector or government bodies based in the UK, subject to ESRC eligibility and costing rules. Please note that Defra (as funder) and devolved governments (Welsh Government, Scottish Government and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland) (as partners), whether as a whole, or through specific individuals or teams (including at regional and local level), cannot be named as a project co-lead or as a project partner on any application.

Topics:

The centre is required to explore the following three topics:

1.     Healthy natural environment and food systems

2.     Thriving places

3.     Services and infrastructure

The Centre is also required to address a number of cross cutting themes. Further information can be found on the UKRI Funding Finder webpage for this opportunity.

This platform is aimed at prospective applicants to the What Works Centre for a Climate Resilient UK to facilitate partnership development and consortium building.

This includes: 

• Researchers and academic organisations with thematic relevance to climate resilience

• Public sector organisations, local authorities and delivery partners with operational relevance to climate resilience

• Businesses developing innovative climate resilience solutions 

• Stakeholders engaged with climate resilience (including networks, suppliers and aggregators) 

• Charities, community organisations and non-profits supporting engagement with or delivery of climate resilience solutions

• Technology developers and solution providers relevant to climate resilience

• Organisations with routes to commercialisation, deployment or end use relevant to climate resilience

This platform provides a dedicated space for organisations to:

• Highlight your capabilities, areas of interest and key partners you are looking for

• Gain insights to improve your network

• Identify supporting services and organisations with relevant experience in the sector

• Meet with peers, collaborators and ecosystem stakeholders to discuss cooperation and partnerships

For any specific enquires related to this funding opportunity please contact:

• Environment Team, Economic & Social Research Council: Environment@esrc.ukri.org.

For any questions about the networking platform, please contact:

• Jordan Meadows – Events Manager, Innovate UK Business Connect: jordan.meadows@iukbc.org.uk

• Georgia Aristide-Oke – Knowledge Transfer Manager, Net Zero, Innovate UK Business Connect: georgia.aristide-oke@iukbc.org.uk