# What Works Centre for a Climate Resilient UK

**Funder:** UKRI
**Budget:** Up to £21.1M total funder contribution (80% FEC, up to £2M flexible internal fund included)
**Duration:** 44 months
**Consortium:** Required — must include at least one project co-lead from a UK-based business, third sector or government organisation
**Application:** Single stage via UKRI Funding Service
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/what-works-centre-for-a-climate-resilient-uk/
**Last updated:** 18 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funds a new What Works Centre for climate resilience in the UK, requiring co-production with academic, government, industry and third sector stakeholders and at least one project co-lead from a UK business, third sector or government organisation. Projects must start by 1 August 2027 and run for 44 months; clinical trials and studentships are excluded.

## Summary

ESRC is funding a single UK-wide What Works Centre on climate resilience, with up to £21.1 million over 44 months for a project led jointly with a non-academic partner. The call is open to UK research teams co-producing work with business, third-sector or government organisations, and excludes clinical trials and studentships. Only one centre will be funded, making this a one-off, winner-takes-all call rather than a recurring scheme.

## Who should apply

- UK-based research teams able to lead a national coordinating centre
- Consortia with a co-lead from a business, third-sector or government organisation
- Teams focused on climate resilience and adaptation research
- Applicants able to start the project by 1 August 2027

## Key dates

- Project must start by 1 August 2027
- 44-month project duration
- One-off call, not recurring

## Tips for applicants

- The non-academic co-lead is a gating requirement, not an add-on, name this partner and their role clearly from the outset.
- Since only one centre will be funded nationally, position the proposal as a UK-wide coordinating hub rather than a single institution's project.
- Clinical trials and studentships are explicitly excluded, so keep the scope framed around evidence synthesis and resilience research.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the What Works Centre for a Climate Resilient UK provide?

Up to £21.1 million for a single project running 44 months.

### Who can apply for the What Works Centre for a Climate Resilient UK?

UK-based consortia with at least one co-lead from a business, third-sector or government organisation.

### Is this a recurring ESRC call?

No, this is a one-off call to fund a single UK-wide centre.

### When must the project start?

The project must start by 1 August 2027 and run for 44 months.

### Does this call fund clinical trials?

No, clinical trials and studentships are explicitly excluded from this call.

---

Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/esrc-what-works-centre-for-a-climate-resilient-uk-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

**See which EU calls match your profile.** [Preview your matches in 30 seconds, no signup](https://grantsby.eu/demo?ref=llm_grant_md&grant=esrc-what-works-centre-for-a-climate-resilient-uk-2026).