Knowledge and Research

The Importance of knowledge | Funding research | Communicating knowledge | Producing knowledge

The Importance of knowledge

The 1997 White Paper on International Development recognises the importance of knowledge in achieving DFID's objectives:

"Knowledge, research and technology underpin all our work. The elimination of poverty and protection of the environment requires improved access to knowledge and technologies by poor people.

"This will be achieved through continued investment in research and research capacity in developing countries and through partnerships with the science community in the UK and internationally. The outcomes of this research will be disseminated widely so that the maximum benefit can be derived from it."

Funding research

DFID spends well over £100 million each year on development-oriented research and capacity-building, managed by its advisory groups and through country and regional activities and interventions. A much larger sum is spent on education, training, consultancy and technical co-operation where knowledge sharing or transfer is a key objective.

On 31 March 2003 the management of DFID's various research programmes was brought together under a new Central Research Team in Policy Division. One of the team's main tasks is to prepare a new strategy for research, taking account of the DFID Research Policy Paper published in November 2002.

Pending developments, no new funding for any centrally managed (DFID headquarters) research will be considered until October 2003 when the position will be reviewed.

Communicating knowledge

An essential adjunct to the generation of new knowledge relevant to development is its communication in relevant and accessible form. DFID is active in sharing its knowledge such that policy makers and practitioners can use it to have a positive impact on people's lives. Click here for useful links where development-related research results.

Producing knowledge

For more information on research priorities and details of how to apply for research grants from DFID, see the Research Guide, available in text-only version or PDF. DFID Research: 1999/2000, outlines the work of DFID's research programmes during 1999/2000. A PDF version is available here; a print version can be ordered from the Knowledge Policy Unit at kpu@dfid.gov.uk

More information on DFID's different research programmes are available below:

• Knowledge Policy Unit

• Database of all Current DFID Funded Research Projects

• EU Fifth Framework: INCO/INCO-DEV

• Economic and Social Research (ESCOR)

• Education Research

• Infrastructure and Urban Development Research (formerly Engineering)

• Rural Livelihoods and Environment Research (formerly Renewable Natural Resources)

• Social Development Research

• Health and Population Research

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