Gambling Harms Research Grants

About this grant

To lead an application, you must be based at a research organisation eligible for UKRI funding.

Eligibility requirements

All of the following criteria must be met:

• The opportunity is open to research communities across all UKRI research councils.
• The lead organisation must have standard UKRI eligibility, including UK higher education providers, UKRI institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations, and UKRI-approved public sector research establishments or NHS bodies.
• International research organisations, other educational establishments, charities, third sector organisations, government departments, NGOs, social enterprises, and UK-registered businesses may participate as project co-leads if they can demonstrate the capacity to co-lead and manage a significant research and innovation project.
• Organisations with non-standard eligibility must successfully complete due diligence checks before funding can be awarded.
• The lead research organisation is responsible for verifying the eligibility of all collaborating organisations and individuals involved in the application.
• Applications containing ineligible applicants will be rejected.
• Applications must be team-based and include diverse people, expertise, experiences, places, and stakeholders.
• The team must include people with lived and learned experience of gambling and gambling-related harms.
• Partnerships with non-academic higher education institutions, third sector organisations, community groups, industry, public sector organisations, people with lived experience, and the public are encouraged.
• Engagement with industry partners must be independent, evidence-based, research-led, and aligned with the programme's public-interest objectives.
• Funding cannot be provided to Gambling Commission licence holders who are subject to the levy.
• Researchers funded through this programme should not concurrently hold funding from licence holders subject to the levy.
• UKRI does not permit engagement with industries whose core business is associated with harm to public health or societal wellbeing, except in limited, approved circumstances.
• Any exception involving restricted industries must be ethically reviewed, transparently declared, free from direct funding or co-authorship, and approved through UKRI governance processes.
• Applications must identify required datasets or data sources and provide letters of support where data access has been established or agreed in principle.
• Applicants must declare compliance with these requirements for the duration of the programme.
• Collaborations must be equitable, contribute to the development of the application, comply with conflict-of-interest requirements, and support the aims of the centre.
• International researchers may participate as project co-leads (international) if they meet UKRI international project co-lead eligibility requirements.

What the funding covers

• Deepens understanding or supports solutions for the prevention and treatment of gambling-related harms

How to apply

1. 1Complete and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the UKRI Engagement Hub before 17 July 2026.
2. 2Provide information about the proposed project and research team in the EOI.
3. 3Use the EOI process to confirm that the proposed research is within the scope of the funding opportunity.
4. 4Prepare to submit a detailed declaration of interests as part of the full application.
5. 5Ensure your organisation is registered on the UKRI Funding Service.
6. 6Submit the full application through the UKRI Funding Service when the opportunity opens on 21 September 2026.
7. 7Complete the required application sections, including summary, core team details, vision, approach, applicant and team capability, ethics and responsible research and innovation, and resource and cost justification.
8. 8Follow any internal institutional review and approval processes before submission.
9. 9Submit the final application by 8 December 2026 at 4:00 PM UK time.
10. 10Ensure the application complies with all guidance, as submitted applications cannot be amended after submission.

Application tips