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Explore articles featuring the latest insights, updates and research highlights from GRTD. Discover impact-driven projects and expert perspectives on global development challenges, and how evidence informs policy and practice.
What works for urban resilience? Turning local evidence into action in 5 cities
The Unlocking Resilience through Bottom-up Action-Research and Multi-Scalar Networks (URBAN) project tested how locally led climate adaptation and political-economy analysis can move from evidence into planning, resources and policy influence.
Unlocking the potential of flow batteries in developing economies
Flow Batteries are electrochemical devices that store electrical energy in liquid electrolytes and convert it back to electricity when needed. In 2025, the Faraday Institution commissioned a study to assess the performance of different flow battery technologies and evaluated their potential contribution to clean energy transitions in emerging economies.
Introducing OASIS: an open home for AI in international development
The Frontier Tech Hub is launching OASIS: a shared, open platform for AI in development. It's a place to find tools other people have built, discuss what's working, and build on it rather than starting again.
Beyond the Axis: the evolution of Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’
Beyond the Axis is part of the Cross-border Conflict Evidence Policy and Trends (XCEPT) programme. The project set out to understand how Iranian arms transfers to allied groups has changed over time, and was ultimately able to explain how and why Iran, and its 'Axis of Resistance' allies have proven…
Delivering clean energy access at scale through innovation
TEA is the flagship FCDO research and innovation platform supporting early-stage testing and scale up of innovative clean energy technologies and business models in developing countries, targeting the 655 million people still without access to electricity.
Advancing gender-responsive social protection: new evidence and resources
How can social protection better deliver for the most marginalised women and girls? Research from the Gender-Responsive Social Protection programme (GSP) offers important answers.
How to activate local leadership in global development programmes
Report on an event hosted by TRANSFORM at the FCDO's Global Development Partnership conference, which explored the shift from global to local decision making.
Launching AI for development science breakthroughs
The UK has announced a new AI for Development Science Breakthroughs programme, marking a significant step forward in how artificial intelligence is harnessed to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges.
New funding for Global Health Product Development Partnerships
Ten organisations awarded funding and are supported by GRTD to develop new technologies for sexual and reproductive health, infectious diseases of poverty, and diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential.
Global Research and Technology Development: a modern partnership approach
Monday 18 May marked a milestone as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) launched the Global Research and Technology Development (GRTD) portfolio and new approach paper at the British Academy in London.
Embedding behavioural science in FCDO Innovation: A Technology and Innovation Unit portfolio review and toolkit
Technology and innovation are central to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) approach to tackling complex development challenges.
Building a more equitable approach to research commissioning
Too often, research agendas and funding decisions are shaped in rooms far removed from the people closest to the development challenge.
Preventing and controlling cholera
In 2018, FCDO and Wellcome jointly launched a Joint Initiative on Research in Epidemic Preparedness and Response (JIREP), establishing a cholera research portfolio worth approximately £5.7 million. Nine projects were funded across Bangladesh, Cameroon, the DRC, Ghana, Kenya and USA.
Big questions, global impact: FCDO sets out its Areas of Research Interest
FCDO has published its first Areas of Research Interest (ARI), setting out the key questions where new evidence can make the biggest difference to international development and diplomacy.
Open access: expanding the reach of FCDO research
The FCDO open access policy, ensures that research funded by public money is freely available to everyone, easy to find and ready to use.
Concordat to Support Research Integrity
The Concordat to Support Research Integrity is a UK-wide framework that sets out the responsibilities for research organisations to maintain the highest standard of integrity in research.
Cross-sector lessons on supporting frontline workers in conflict
A significant body of research on service delivery in situations of fragility, conflict and violence has been built over the last 15 years but there has been limited synthesis of findings across research programmes and sectors.
Applying a behavioural lens to innovation
On 25 February 2026, Magenta, in partnership with FCDO’s Technology and Innovation Unit (TIU), delivered an interactive online workshop designed to help practitioners apply behavioural science to technology and innovation programming.
From pilots to public value: Reflections on AI in food and agriculture from EvalFest and India AI Impact Summit
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping conversations about the future of agriculture. From predictive analytics to crop diagnostics, AI-enabled tools are opening up new possibilities for supporting farmers and strengthening food systems.
GRTD Research Commissioning Centre announces new awards on evidence use in economic policymaking in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
Evidence is central to effective economic policymaking, but how it is used in real-world decision-making
Ghana’s health sector and the role of UK development assistance
Report analysing Ghana’s health sector transformation over three decades, focusing on the evolving role of UK aid.
How innovation is keeping lifesaving medical oxygen flowing
Every year, around 25 million people die from conditions that could be treated with medical oxygen, an essential medicine still out of reach for most patients in low- and middle-income countries.
The vital importance of literacy
The Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel (GEEAP) unveiled its latest report, “Effective Reading Instructions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: What the Evidence Shows.” This report highlights that literacy is the cornerstone of all learning.
New report points the way forward for e-mobility in Africa
The Powering Renewable Energy Opportunity (PREO) programme launched its latest report - “Driving Interoperability: Insights from PREO’s E-Mobility Portfolio” at Africa E-Mobility Week 2025.
What does evidence-informed policymaking look like? A framework for conceptualising and measuring EIPM
The past two decades have seen a proliferation of activity supporting evidence-informed policymaking (EIPM) in low- and middle-income countries.
Successful treatment of bubonic plague
A ground breaking clinical trial has provided conclusive evidence to support WHO guidance that a simple, affordable oral antibiotic can improve bubonic plague treatment worldwide.
Improving water security for millions of vulnerable people
The REACH Water Programme has directly enhanced water security for 10 million people in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia whilst establishing foundations for broader long-term impact.
Greener, safer, more affordable and inclusive transport systems
After seven years, the HVT (high volume transport) Applied Research Programme has closed, leaving a legacy of an extensive repository of new research.
Driving Africa-Led Solutions for Climate and Nature: Insights from the FCDO Research Roundtable
On 12 March 2025, FCDO and the FCDO Research Commissioning Centre facilitated a virtual research roundtable bringing together voices from across Africa and the UK to reflect on the research agenda for climate and nature across the continent.
Nine game-changing technologies you probably haven’t heard about
While artificial intelligence dominates tech headlines, the most transformative innovations for global development are quietly operating in the shadows. The Frontier Tech Hub's latest report: Beyond the Hype: Nine Underhyped Frontier Technologies for International Development looks at overlooked breakthroughs that could reshape how we tackle climate change and sustainable development.
New Chief Scientific adviser joins FCDO
Welcome to Professor Sir John Edmunds, who has joined FCDO as the successor to Professor Charlotte Watts, in the role of Chief Scientific Adviser and Director of Research and Evidence Directorate.
IGC introduces Transformational Change methodology
In 2024, the International Growth Centre (IGC) launched their Transformational Change methodology: a renewed approach to understand how their work influences policy and to further evidence its impact.
Walking the talk on evidence use in policymaking: Reflections from the FCDO Research Commissioning Centre
April saw the launch of two calls for expressions of interest for the FCDO Research Commissioning Centre (RCC) as part of our funding round on understanding evidence use in policymaking in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Introducing Global Research and Technology Development
I am delighted that we are launching Global Research and Technology Development – a new brand for FCDO’s entire R&D portfolio. This will make our research and our funding opportunities more visible and accessible globally.
Announcing the new Research Commissioning Centre
When we launched the new commissioning centre, our partners issued announcements from our partners at the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) and the University of Birmingham.
New FCDO Research Commissioning Centre funding round to understand evidence use in policymaking
This project is one of the first to go through the FCDO’s new Research Commissioning Centre (RCC), led by 3ie and the University of Birmingham.
Banner image: ANSA-AW (Affiliated Network for Social Accountability- Arab World) launched in Morocco by World Bank in collaboration with CARE International; ©Arne Hoel / World Bank