Funding for research projects to improve understanding of the consumer harms experienced by diverse and disadvantaged communities in the UK and to develop evidence-based solutions to tackle these harms.

Which?, the UK’s consumer champion, is inviting UK registered charities, universities with exempt charitable status and not-for-profit Community Interest Companies registered in the UK to apply for a share of the £75,000 being made available for 2022/23.

This funding will support research projects aiming to improve understanding of the specific consumer harms diverse and disadvantaged communities experience, and develop evidence-based solutions.

Two funding programmes are available:

• Projects exploring consumer harms experienced by diverse and disadvantaged communities. In some circumstances, certain groups of consumers – for example, women, people living with disabilities or health conditions, low-income households or members of diverse ethnic communities – might be exposed to more harm than other groups, or experience different harms. Applications should align with one of Which?’s four impact themes: Money, Consumer Rights and Protections, Scams and Digital Life.
• Projects exploring consumer harms experienced by diverse and disadvantaged communities in digital markets. Information asymmetries, dark patterns and dynamic pricing can place consumers at a distinct disadvantage online, and some groups may face greater detriment than others. Examples could include online choice architecture designed to manipulate consumer behaviour which has a greater impact on some groups, algorithmic systems which create biased outcomes which disadvantage certain groups, or sensitive personal data being collected excessively or used inappropriately.

There is no set minimum or maximum grant. It is anticipated that a small number of high-quality projects will be funded. Applicants should cost their project based on what they need. It is expected that projects will take up to 12 months to complete.

Applications will be accepted from 4 July 2022 to 19 September 2022.

How To Apply

The application window opens on 4 July 2022 and closes on 19 September 2022.

The guidance notes and FAQs can be found on the ‘Consumer insight’ page on the Which? website.

An organisation can only submit one application for funding per funding round.