UCL Grand Challenges

Don’t miss out on the latest news from the #UCL Grand Challenges – here’s how to find out what we’re doing: Sign up for our #newsletter : ucl.ac.uk/grand-challeng…… Subscribe to our #podcast: ucl.ac.uk/grand-challeng…… Follow us on #LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ucl-gr…

Mental Health Awareness Week starts next week 💚 We’ll be sharing how UCL’s interdisciplinary research is tackling today’s biggest mental health challenges, spotlighting projects driving real-world impact. Follow along from Monday.

Last chance to book! Improving interventions for children’s & young people’s #mentalhealth 🧠 13 May | 9am–5pm Showcasing cutting‑edge research, NHS partnerships & new approaches to prevention and early intervention. Check out our confirmed speakers! bit.ly/3N2ah0l

Applications open for Mental Health & Wellbeing ECR Catalyst Grant Call with funding of up to £10k available to support innovative, cutting-edge research that crosses disciplinary boundaries & focuses on bringing discovery to practice. Deadline: 18 May bit.ly/3PKtgxh

This week, @UCL is visiting South Africa and Kenya to strengthen partnerships and explore collaboration across health, climate and AI. Led by @profgeraintrees, the visit brings together universities, policy partners and innovation actors. #UCLandAfrica

🌍 Upcoming event | 5 May, 5–6:30pm Join Dr Caroline Howe at the Annual Graham Woodgate Lecture on getting transformative change right for biodiversity & climate policy. 📍 Gustave Tuck LT, UCL Sign up: bit.ly/4sX3rYN

🎧 New Fair Enough episode: Profs Lauren Andres & Victoria Austin explore spatial inequality with Bridget Wilkins & Prof Mike Raco, looking at how housing, planning, and local decisions shape lives and opportunities. bit.ly/4cOYGug

Applications open for Mental Health & Wellbeing ECR Catalyst Grant Call with funding of up to £10k available to support innovative, cutting-edge research that crosses disciplinary boundaries & focuses on bringing discovery to practice. Deadline: 18 May bit.ly/3PKtgxh

Interested in applying to the ERC Plus scheme? Register now for the ERC Plus webinar on 14 May, 11:00–12:00 for an information webinar introducing the ERC Plus scheme and its key features. 👉 Register here: bit.ly/490iPfG

We’re excited to announce that Polly Curtis, CEO of Demos will deliver the closing reflections: The Future for Challenge-Led Approaches ​remarks for our conference on Friday 5 June. Book your place and join us to hear Polly's closing remarks. bit.ly/49KJdd9

🚨Calling Researchers! Climate Crisis Funding Opportunity Climate Network Accelerators (Apply for up to £25k) Strategic Sub-Theme Awards (Apply for up to £40k) Deadline: 14 May Learn more: bit.ly/4bsBmTy

🚨 Calling researchers interested in policy impact 🚨 Applications open for 2 UKRI Research and Development Missions Accelerator Programme Fellowships Work at the science–policy interface on: ⚡ Clean energy 🏠 Experimental evaluation Apply by 28 April: bit.ly/4sOjpVA

Pleased to be a Fellow @SciTechgovuk in shaping the Future of #Childhood & #Adolescence in 10-20 years time. If you've UK evidence on on/offline youth #crime, #VAWGs, #harms, #exploitation pls 📧 me! @educrimjustice @UCL_IOE_PHD @IOE_London @keriwonglab @GrandChallenges @ucl

Our April newsletter is out now! Read the latest news, opportunities and upcoming events in our monthly bulletin: bit.ly/4mKtHnH Make sure you sign up and stay up to date: bit.ly/4a0Fjx2

📢 Book your place at Festival of Early Stage Researchers 2026. 3 June , 9:30am–6:30pm at UCL East Whether you’re looking to connect, learn, be inspired, or celebrate the ECR community, FESR 2026 is your space. 👉 Find out more: bit.ly/4th0BPs

Following the government’s announcement of a legal ban on smartphones in schools in England, Ethne James Souch, Jessica Ringrose, Marc Tibber and Sophie Wilson discuss whether phone bans are supporting young people or excluding them. Listen now: bit.ly/4vDehG5

Applications open for Mental Health & Wellbeing ECR Catalyst Grant Call with funding of up to £10k available to support innovative, cutting-edge research that crosses disciplinary boundaries & focuses on bringing discovery to practice. Deadline: 18 May bit.ly/3PKtgxh

🚨 Calling researchers interested in policy impact 🚨 Applications open for 2 UKRI Research and Development Missions Accelerator Programme Fellowships Work at the science–policy interface on: ⚡ Clean energy 🏠 Experimental evaluation Apply by 28 April: bit.ly/4sOjpVA

We’re delighted to announce that Prof Ibrahim Abubakar, UCL Vice‑Provost (Health) will deliver the opening remarks for our conference on Friday 5 June. Join us to hear his opening remarks and explore what works in tackling complex societal challenges. bit.ly/49KJdd9

UCL and UNESCO are joining forces to expand UNESCO’s Global Happy Schools Initiative - a programme focused on improving wellbeing, engagement and learning outcomes for both students and teachers. Find out more: bit.ly/4vARZVq

One month to go! Improving interventions for children’s & young people’s mental health 🧠 13 May | 9am–5pm Join us during #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek as we showcase cutting‑edge research, NHS partnerships & approaches to prevention & early intervention. bit.ly/3N2ah0l