We understand that the budgets for research is shrinking. At the same time many departments are also shrinking leading to a reduction in capacity and capability to undertake research in-house.

We firmly believe that commissioning a service, campaign or programme without research is risky, and that an evidence-based approach works best and gets the best outcome. This month we are offering our time, resources and services for FREE to one lucky organisation.

How to take part

Step 1: Pick an area you'd like us to research for you. The topic or issue that you would like to address must be a social or behavioural issue. (For example: childhood obesity in deprived areas, sexual health in women over 50, gun crime in urban cities, homelessness in the north of England, teenage pregnancy, smoking in pregnancy, alcohol harm in middle aged populations, recycling and waste reduction in cities etc). We are open to any topic suggestion! As long as it contributes to social good in some way.

Step 2: Choose a research question. Tell us who your audience is (if you know), what you want to find out and why in less than 500 words. Tell us why this is important too.

Step 3: Submit your proposal! The deadline for submissions is 5:00 PM on 30th November. To submit your proposal or make an enquiry, email ammar@social-change.test.

Good luck!!

NB - please bear in mind that the value of the project limits what we are able to do. We have placed a £5,000 price tag on this project.

A qualitative research project within this budget allows for the design, recruitment, facilitation, transcription and analysis of two focus groups (each lasting two hours). This budget also covers expenses associated with the project (such as travel and venue hire) and an insight pack with recommendations. Have a look at our work on mental health and unemployment to get an idea of what to expect!

A quantitative research project within this budget allows for the design, recruitment, data collection, analysis and write up of a survey with 1,000 responses. This budget also covers expenses associate with the project (such as travel and venue hire) and an infographic based report with recommendations. Have a look at how we transformed data into infographics for our mortality project.

Why are Social Change UK offering research for free?

Not a lot of people know this but we are a social business. This means we re-invest profits back into the company to help it to grow, create new jobs and opportunities and invest in training. We also provide free training and knowledge transfer to the public sector and third sector and we carry out un-commissioned (free from bias) research.

To help you with your proposal, here are some clarifications to questions associated with this call for project submissions.

Q) I need to carry out research with a community that doesn't speak English as their first language. Is this included in the £5,000 budget?

A) The £5,000 budget is allocated towards time spent conducting the research as well as project management. Additional costs such as translation and interpretation are an external factor and would have to be funded through applicants. This is something that must be factored into your proposal.

Q) How will incentives be funded?

A) Incentives are an external factor and would have to be funded by applicants. We have extensive experience in carrying out research and understand that people require an exchange in order to take part in research. We have found that incentives of £25 to £35 per person attract enough participants for two strong focus groups (16 participants in total).

Q) How will the successful applicant be notified?

A) We will get in touch with all applicants regarding the outcome of their submission. If you are successful, we will arrange for a Skype or telephone call with yourself to discuss the aim of the project and clearly identify the research outcomes and methodology.

Q) What will happen if my submission is successful?

A) Following the initial consultation, we will pull together a project plan and begin working on delivering the project. Our lead researcher will arrange bi-weekly telephone calls with the successful applicant on the progress of the project and next steps. Upon completion of the research and write up of the report, we will work with the yourself to sign-off a final version of the research report and arrange a meeting to present the findings and recommendations to your team.