On World Children’s Day, Coram is delighted to announce that the charity’s application to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for recognition as an independent research organisation (IRO) has been successful, and that we are now eligible to bid directly for research grant funding from the seven research councils of the United Kingdom.
Coram, the first and longest serving children’s charity, has an existing track record of delivering high quality research, both in the UK and internationally. We work across the UK and in nearly 100 countries worldwide, partnering with national and local governments, UK What Works Centres, the UN, think tanks and other third sector organisations to deliver change for children and young people.
In October, Coram formally opened the Coram Institute for Children as the first ‘think and do’ centre dedicated to advancing the life chances of children and young people by turning insight into impact. The Institute brings together our two established research teams across UK and international arenas along with our policy and delivery expertise and will now lead the charity’s development as a recognised IRO.
Key areas of enquiry for the Institute will include:
- Children and young people’s early intervention, support and childcare;
- Children and young people’s educational enrichment, oracy, creative learning and emotional wellbeing;
- Children and young people who are at risk of entering care or are care experienced
- Children and young people who are at risk of or experience exclusion;
- Children’s rights and access to justice.
The views and experience of children and young people are put at the heart of our work, through the delivery of participatory and peer research methods, and IRO status will now enable the charity to bid directly for research funding driven by their needs and experiences.
Dr Carol Homden, Coram CEO, said: “Coram’s ambition is to make positive change happen for children and young people and we are proud to achieve recognition for the quality and contribution of our research as the only IRO dedicated to children and young people. We look forward to playing our full part in the research community and to contributing to UKRI’s goals for world class research and ideas, helping to build research capacity and to turn insight into impact.”
Stian Westlake, Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), said: “We welcome The Thomas Coram Foundation for Children’s application for Independent Research Organisation (IRO) status. UKRI is committed to supporting a diverse research and innovation ecosystem, and we look forward to working with organisations that share our ambitions to advance knowledge and improve lives.”
Max Stanford, Head of Coram Research, Impact and Evaluation, said: There has never been a greater need for policy ready research informed by the views and experiences of children and young people to help shape services and the development of policy to address current and emerging challenges. Recognition of the Coram Institute for Children as an IRO will help us to deliver against these goals by inspiring and conducting new areas of enquiry.”
Professor Dame Carolyn Hamilton, Director of Coram International, said: “Over 25 years, we have conducted research and worked with 100 countries to advance children’s position in society through multi-country studies and supporting governments in design of welfare and justice systems for children, young people and families This recognition as an IRO will enable us to take our work to a new level with partners in the UK and beyond.”
Organisations currently recognised as IROs are listed on the UKRI website at https://www.ukri.org/publications/organisation-eligibility/. Organisations that are eligible to apply for Research Council funding may work in partnership or collaboration with any other organisation, irrespective of its eligibility status, subject to the conditions of any grant awarded. They are required to evidence they have control procedures in place for managing research funding and to comply with UKRI Grant Terms and Conditions and that they have the required capability to undertake research relevant to UKRI.