Commissioning brief
A global recession and the unique challenges posed by COVID-19 on certain sectors of the economy have prompted new discussions about experimental macroeconomic policies, including the piloting of UBI or other income supplement models. Research on the impact of UBI on health outcomes and health inequalities is scarce. From discussion with experts in the field, we recognise that any future UK-based pilots could benefit from preparatory underpinning or development work for potential future evaluations focused on health outcomes.
This funding opportunity is for applications of between £50,000 and £150,000 over a maximum of one year. The aim of this Application Development Award (ADA) scheme is to provide funding for underpinning or development work that will address evidence gaps, add to the current knowledge-base and will ultimately support evaluations of potential future UBI/income supplement interventions.
Possible areas of work for the Application Development Award include (but are not limited to):
- Development work to support existing feasibility or pilot study proposals.
- Development work such as modelling to ascertain potential targeted or population-wide benefits.
- Exploration of innovative methodologies for future evaluative work.
- Underpinning research to check, challenge or re-think assumptions about the positive and negative impacts of a chosen model.
- Analysis of the potential implications related to tax and/or existing payments that help with living costs, such as Universal Credit.
- Gaining an understanding of the potential impact of the chosen model were it to be introduced with specific population groups, for example, certain age groups, families/households or employment sectors.
- Development of research networks or partnerships to encourage future evaluative research. For example, across or within particular geographical areas.
- Local or regional needs assessments to understand the local context. This could include, for example, what a UBI/income supplement intervention might mean for different population groups within a region or potential implications for third sector organisations and the support offer to local communities.
- Analysis of what constitutes financial security for different potential groups of recipients of a guaranteed income.
- Analysis of how similar interventions have affected health outcomes and health inequalities.
- Identification and engagement of relevant stakeholders. For example, with specific communities and population groups, policy makers, third sector organisations and employers.
- Investigation and exploration of ethical issues relating to a potential future feasibility study or pilot.
- Research to explore the attitudes of the public and of decision-makers regarding UBI/income supplement.
Applicants should note that:
- We will consider funding more than one study team for this ADA.
- Applicants do not have to be limited to the research areas of interest identified above.
- Applicants can focus on a single or combination of components, if preferred.
- We are particularly interested in underpinning or development work that takes a population- or community-level approach.
- An economic component to this work is seen as important in order that cost-effectiveness and/or return on investment can be demonstrated – particularly if there is scope to upscale.
- We welcome applications that propose innovative approaches to undertake this work, as well as demonstrating how researchers from non-traditional public health disciplines will be engaged in the research.
- Underpinning or development work must meet our programme's remit.
- We fund only interventional research that has health-related primary outcomes and developmental research to inform the design and execution of intervention studies measuring health outcomes. It will accept other outcomes as long as the link to health can be clearly justified.
- It should be clearly stated in the application how the underpinning or development work would link to ongoing and future work in this topic area, including potential UBI/income supplement interventions.
We acknowledge the differences in approaches, stages of development and previous development work undertaken by the four UK nations. We welcome applications that reflect these differences. Applicants should clearly demonstrate an understanding of the local context in which their proposed study will operate and an understanding of the potential comparison to the other UK nations and consider possibilities and limits on generalisability. Applicants will also need to demonstrate how devolution and the relationship with key departments such as the Department for Work and Pensions might affect their research.
If you have specific questions about this funding call, please contact: phr@nihr.ac.uk and we will answer where possible.