Racial Diversity UK Fund

Fund information

Our Racial Diversity UK Fund (RDUK) supports research on racial diversity within the UK. Grants from £15,000 to £500,000 are available.

There is one deadline a year for this fund, in the Autumn. Exact dates are announced in advance.

The next deadline will be in October 2026.

Join the RDUK Community of Interest to receive updates.

Priority themes

Priority theme for 2026 applications: Inter-generational changes, continuities and challenges in racially diverse UK.

We are interested in: What generational shifts in outlooks, experiences and conditions mean for the potentials and challenges of the UK’s racially diverse future, in the context of its colonial past and a changing institutional, policy and political environment. This might include but would not be restricted to issues of:

• Identities, belonging and exclusions
• Aspirations and values
• Civic and political participation
• Life chances and experiences

This theme sits within the Nuffield Foundation Strategy’s Inclusive Society priority which asks ‘How can we build an inclusive society, where people thrive and feel they belong, in the context of changing demography and ways of life?’

Background and scope

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. 

This programme is funded by an endowment that supports work relating to the Commonwealth. As such, our interest is in the future of UK society as shaped by its colonial past, specifically by the migration of people from former British colonies to the UK. This migration and the accompanying dynamics of racialisation, resources and power have produced the UK’s distinct racial diversity and its patterns of racial discrimination and inequality. Within this context we take a broad view of racial diversity as covering all racial or ethnic groups living in the UK, including White populations.  

What we will fund

We expect the research we fund to:

• Contribute to understanding, public debate, policy and/or practice on tackling racial inequalities, discrimination and disadvantage. 

• Map pathways towards a UK that is comfortable with and reaping the benefits of its growing racial diversity. 

As for all our grant programmes, we welcome applications proposing any methodological approach, including applied methods and participatory research. Our Guide for applicants provides more information about the application process and how to apply.

Who should apply

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, particularly from individuals and organisations from racially minoritised communities. We strongly encourage partnership applications which bring together researchers and racially minoritised communities to explore challenges and develop solutions. 

Application process

The application for funding is a two-stage process.

Before submitting an Outline application, check that our terms and conditions are acceptable to you and your host institution.

See Terms and Conditions

Complete the application form

Applications will be via the Main Grants Fund form. Select Racial Diversity UK as your main focus at the start. 

Frequently asked questions

If you have further queries, email us at  RDUK@nuffieldfoundation.org.