The Nuffield Foundation Racial Diversity UK fund (RDUK) supports research on racial diversity within the UK.
The UK’s racial composition has changed considerably since the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 1948, marking the beginning of the post-war settlement of citizens from Britain’s former colonies. Today, the UK’s growing racial diversity and continuing racial disparities bring both opportunities and challenges.
There is a substantial body of research evidencing racial inequalities in most areas of UK life; from health to housing, education to employment, crime and policing to criminal justice. There is less evidence for why some of the UK’s differential racial outcomes persist while other disparities have closed. Nor is there much evidence about what works to end racial disparities, nor of when, how or if policy and programme interventions are effective in achieving this, and little research has focused on the wider benefits and opportunities that racial diversity can bring.
The Nuffield Foundation expect the research to contribute to understanding, public debate, policy and/or practice on tackling racial inequalities, discrimination and disadvantage, and map pathways towards a UK that is comfortable with and reaping the benefits of its growing racial diversity.
Funding
Grants can be from £15,000 to £500,000, though most awards are expected to be less than £300,000.
The priority theme for the RDUK autumn 2025 application round is migration, arrivals, and legacies.
The particular areas of interest within this theme are:
- How colonial legacies and connections shape the UK’s racially diverse past, present and future
- Patterns and experiences of migration, arrivals, settlements, and departures
- Impacts of migration on places, opportunities, and outcomes for all communities, new and established
- Migration and demographic projections and the future of a multi-racial UK
- Rights and routes to residency and citizenship
Applicants are encouraged from diverse backgrounds, particularly from individuals and organisations from racially minoritised communities. They strongly encourage partnership applications which bring together researchers and racially minoritised communities to explore challenges and develop solutions.
Read more in the Guide for Applicants.
To apply to the Autumn 2025 Outline Stage, please complete the internal DPIR Expression of Interest form by Monday, 4 August 2025.