FCDO Areas of Research Interest · first published 11 May 2026
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has published its first Areas of Research Interest (ARI) — a statement of the department's key evidence gaps and research questions across 13 themes spanning climate, health, security, technology, migration, food, education and more. This is not a call for tender or a grant competition; it explicitly states it does not provide a route to funding. However, it is a strategic signal: research and consultancy firms whose work touches these themes can use this document to align proposals, strengthen impact cases, and open a dialogue with FCDO's Research and Analysis Directorate. The ARI replaces separate predecessor documents from the FCO (2020) and DFID (2016). Small businesses in research, consultancy, technology, data, or international development delivery should treat this as a map of where FCDO's commissioning appetite is likely to flow — and use it to position themselves accordingly.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
For SMEs in research, evaluation, data analytics, technology, or international development consultancy, this ARI is a horizon-scanning gift: it tells you exactly what FCDO will want evidence on before formal procurements are launched. Firms that proactively align their capabilities to named themes — especially AI/technology governance, climate resilience, migration dynamics, and food systems — and make contact via the Research Commissioning Centre (RCC) or the enquiries.grtd@fcdo.gov.uk inbox, will be better placed when funded calls emerge. The explicit mention of industry alongside academia as a welcome audience is a green light for commercial research and technology SMEs to engage.
1. Map your firm's existing capabilities against FCDO's 13 ARI themes and prepare a one-page capability statement that uses the ARI's own language — referencing specific sub-themes (e.g. ARI 9.3 health systems financing, ARI 11.1 technology governance) to signal alignment.
SMEs in research, evaluation, consultancy, data analytics or technology with international development relevance — The ARI explicitly states it helps researchers and industry 'align research proposals with priority research themes and strengthen the case for the potential public impact of the research' when submitting funding or grant applications.
2. Email enquiries.grtd@fcdo.gov.uk to introduce your firm and its relevant expertise — reference the specific ARI theme(s) you cover and ask about upcoming commissioning activity through the Research Commissioning Centre (RCC).
All SMEs interested in FCDO research or innovation contracts — FCDO explicitly invites contact: 'To contact FCDO's CSA and Research and Analysis Directorate (RAD) with any questions relating to the ARI email enquiries.grtd@fcdo.gov.uk.' Early relationship-building before formal procurements launch is the window this document opens.
3. Review ARI 11 (Technology and Innovation), ARI 12 (Operational Technology) and ARI 10.1 (Politics, technology and geopolitics of technology) in detail — these themes explicitly name industry partners as sought collaborators and ask questions your firm may already have answers to.
Technology, AI, data, and digital SMEs — ARI 12 directly asks 'how might academic and industry partners' evaluation of new and existing technologies… inform the FCDO's future operational capabilities', signalling active appetite for commercial technology input.
4. Register on the FCDO's Global Research and Technology Development (GRTD) platform to monitor funding opportunities, as this is stated to be where R&D programmes, achievements and funding opportunities are published.
SMEs in health, food security, climate, or agriculture research and delivery — FCDO states: 'To make FCDO's R&D programmes… and funding opportunities more open and accessible, we have created a Global Research and Technology Development (GRTD) platform that pulls together our R&D portfolio.'
5. Use the ARI to identify cross-cutting themes shared with your current buyer (e.g. climate, migration, AI) and proactively share relevant findings or capabilities with FCDO — the ARI explicitly aims to 'communicate FCDO research interests to other government departments to allow cross-cutting themes to be identified'.
SMEs already holding research, evaluation or consultancy contracts with other government departments — The ARI states one of its objectives is 'communicating FCDO research interests to other government departments to allow cross-cutting themes to be identified', meaning FCDO actively wants to find partners who bridge departments.
6. When writing your grant application's 'potential impact' or 'policy relevance' sections, cite the specific FCDO ARI sub-theme your work addresses — this directly strengthens the public impact case.
SMEs considering applying for Innovate UK or UKRI grants with international development angles — FCDO states: 'When submitting a funding or grant application, the ARI can help to align research proposals with priority research themes and strengthen the case for the potential public impact of the research.'
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
This ARI is FCDO's first combined publication, replacing separate predecessor ARIs from the FCO (2020) and DFID (2016). (FCDO, all potential research and industry partners)
“Previous ARIs from the FCO (2 June 2020) and DFID (October 2016) outlined the research interests of these two departments.”
The ARI explicitly does not provide a route to funding — it is a signalling and engagement document. (All potential suppliers, researchers and partners engaging with FCDO)
“Whilst the ARI does not provide a route to access funding, FCDO welcomes engagement from academia, industry and research communities.”
The ARI identifies 13 thematic research areas: Climate and Nature; Growth and Investment; Migration; Conflict, Humanitarian and Emergencies; National and International Security; Inclusion and Gender Equality; Education; Food and Agriculture; Global Health; Politics and Governance; Technology and Innovation; Operational Technology, Innovation and Technical Security; Strengthening Research and Innovation Systems. (All research, consultancy and industry partners engaging with FCDO)
“Reflecting the breadth of FCDO interests and global priorities, this ARI is divided into thematic research areas.”
FCDO's Research Commissioning Centre (RCC), launched in 2023 and led by 3ie and the University of Birmingham, is the mechanism to streamline FCDO funding and commissioning processes. (All potential FCDO-funded research and innovation partners)
“GRTD hosts the Research Commissioning Centre (RCC): a mechanism launched in 2023 to streamline FCDO funding and commissioning processes, which is led by 3ie and the University of Birmingham.”
Researchers and industry partners are encouraged to contact FCDO's Chief Scientific Adviser and Research and Analysis Directorate via a named email address for ARI-related enquiries. (All potential partners — academia, industry, research community)
“To contact FCDO's CSA and Research and Analysis Directorate (RAD) with any questions relating to the ARI email enquiries.grtd@fcdo.gov.uk.”
The ARI is neither exhaustive nor definitive and FCDO will update it over time; FCDO remains open to research outside the listed areas. (All potential research and industry partners)
“The ARI is neither exhaustive nor definitive, instead it is intended to facilitate conversations alongside building relationships. FCDO remains interested in research that lies outside the areas outlined that may still be relevant to FCDO policy or delivery.”
FCDO explicitly welcomes engagement from industry — not only academia — across its 13 research themes. (Industry partners including commercial SMEs)
“I welcome this opportunity to broaden and deepen FCDO's network of researchers from across academia, industry and the wider research community.”
ARI 12 (Operational Technology, Innovation and Technical Security) specifically asks how academic and industry partners' evaluation of new and existing technologies can inform FCDO's future operational capabilities. (Technology and security SMEs with dual-use or operational technology capabilities)
“how might academic and industry partners' evaluation of new and existing technologies and their development of novel dual-use or single-use solutions inform the FCDO's future operational capabilities and enable the FCDO and our partners to achieve diplomatic advantage?”
ARI 11 (Technology and Innovation) asks what forms of venture support grow innovative and inclusive businesses in developing countries, and what aid-funded interventions effectively support innovation ecosystems. (Technology, innovation and international development SMEs)
“what aid-funded interventions effectively support innovation ecosystems addressing development challenges?”
The Global Research and Technology Development (GRTD) platform is FCDO's central hub for R&D portfolio information, funding opportunities and research policies. (All potential FCDO research and innovation partners)
“To make FCDO's R&D programmes, achievements, research policies, principles, and funding opportunities more open and accessible, we have created a Global Research and Technology Development (GRTD) platform that pulls together our R&D portfolio.”
This briefing is enkii's interpretation of the official document — the official text always governs.
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