Deadline: March 23, 2026
A Collaborative Research Grant Opportunity Addressing Emerging Urban Challenges
The Urban Urgencies Funding Initiative (Urban Studies Foundation) is a newly launched research funding programme designed to support innovative and timely responses to pressing urban challenges worldwide.
This initiative provides seed funding for collaborative primary research projects that engage with urgent and emerging issues affecting cities, communities, and urban systems.
The Urban Urgencies Funding Initiative (Urban Studies Foundation) is particularly aimed at projects that combine academic insight with practical, on-the-ground partnerships to generate meaningful knowledge and impact.
Overview of the Urban Urgencies Programme
The Urban Urgencies programme, offered by the Urban Studies Foundation (USF), seeks to fund research that explores critical urban problems that require immediate attention.
Rather than limiting proposals to a fixed thematic list, the programme encourages applicants to interpret “urban urgency” broadly and creatively, grounded in diverse contexts and contemporary urban realities.
This funding opportunity is intended to strengthen both:
- Urban studies scholarship
- Practical, policy, and community-based engagement
Grant Amount and Key Funding Details
Successful projects under the Urban Urgencies Funding Initiative (Urban Studies Foundation) may receive:
- Up to £35,000 GBP per project
- Up to six projects funded in total
- Project duration of up to 18 months
- Projects must begin within nine months of the application deadline
This is a rapid-response funding call aimed at supporting timely research with strong collaborative foundations.
Application Deadline
All applications must be submitted no later than:
23 March 2026 (23:59 UTC+0)
Please note that no extensions will be granted, so applicants are advised to prepare submissions early.
What Type of Research is Supported?
The programme supports innovative primary research that addresses urgent and emerging urban issues. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Climate emergency and environmental risks
- Housing crises and displacement
- Food insecurity in urban areas
- Public health challenges and pandemic-related impacts
- Threats to democracy, conflict, and urbicide
- Inequality and shifting urban power structures
- The effects of technology and artificial intelligence on cities
- Context-specific crises affecting urban communities
The initiative is designed to support projects that contribute to both:
- Theoretical debates in urban studies
- Practical responses and grounded urban interventions
Collaboration and Partnership Requirements
A key feature of the Urban Urgencies Funding Initiative (Urban Studies Foundation) is its emphasis on collaboration.
To be eligible, proposals must:
- Include at least two partner organisations
- Involve at least one non-academic partner, such as:
- NGOs
- Community groups
- Public institutions
- Policy organisations
- Civil society actors
Partnerships should demonstrate meaningful cooperation in knowledge production, mobilisation, capacity building, and policy or practice relevance.
Eligibility and Global Scope
This programme is open to applicants worldwide.
- Researchers and institutions from any country may apply
- Projects may be local, comparative, international, or transnational
- Research must be clearly situated within the broader field of urban studies
Applicants must show how their proposed work contributes to scholarly understanding while also engaging with real-world urban urgencies.
Expected Outputs and Project Outcomes
Funded projects are expected to generate both academic and public-facing outputs, including:
- Peer-reviewed journal articles
- Research reports
- Policy briefs
- Accessible publications or community resources
- Outputs that extend beyond academia into policy and practice
The programme values research that can influence urban debates, decision-making, and community responses.
Important Application Notes
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review all official documentation provided by the Urban Studies Foundation, including:
- Eligibility and terms
- Application guidance
- Frequently asked questions
- Application templates
Strong proposals will demonstrate urgency, innovation, collaboration, and relevance to urban studies and practice.
Next Steps: Apply or Learn More
To move forward with this opportunity, use the links below:
Apply here: Submit Your Application
Read more about the programme: Urban Urgencies Programme Details
Need Support With Your Proposal?
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining and review.
