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Black Researcher Consortium

In plain English

AI plain-English summary

Black researchers in the UK will gain a permanent, year-round network of support, networking events, and micro-funding through a new consortium built by and for people with Black heritage. The consortium addresses a well-documented gap: Black researchers face unique barriers to career progression and retention in UK academia, yet existing support is often fragmented, short-term, or not led by the communities it aims to serve. By bringing together founding partners including Wellcome, UKRI, the four National Academies, and the Elsevier Foundation, the consortium avoids duplicating existing efforts while filling the structural gaps they leave behind. If successful, the consortium will create a self-sustaining infrastructure—not a one-off intervention. Activities include regional networking events, an annual summit where senior leaders engage directly with Black researchers, workshops and webinars run by members, and small grants for Black-led organisations to accomplish specific tasks. Structured as a Community Interest Company, the consortium remains open to all while being governed by those with lived experience. The long-term impact would be measurable: improved retention of Black researchers in UK institutions, stronger professional networks, and a shift from ad hoc support to embedded, year-round collaboration.

View original technical description
The consortium aims to foster year-round and sustainable collaboration with Black researchers, Black-led organisations, and other initiatives addressing gaps in provision for Black researchers. Built by and led by individuals and organisations with Black heritage the founding partners Elsevier Foundation, Wellcome, UKRI and the four National Academies contributed to the Consortium design process. The consortium will include the following activities: • Project based administrative support for Black-led organisations o Logistics of running an event o Conducting a participant survey o Liaising between stakeholders • Informal and structured networking events – Individuals or Black-led organisations will be funded to host regional activities • Annual event – co-created with current programmes, providing enrichment, skills development and networking, alongside a summit for senior leaders to engage with Black researchers and improving the retention of Black researchers • Workshops, seminars, webinars – run by and for members to enhance learning, share skills and create engagement opportunities • Organisation sponsorship – Provide micro-funds for organisations to accomplish tasks aligned with aims and objectives. Structured as a Community Interest Company the Consortium is open to all. By collaborating with existing and established initiatives, the consortium ensures a comprehensive and sustained effort to address the unique challenges faced by Black Researchers whilst not duplicating efforts.

View the original record at the funder ↗

Researchers

Lenna Cumberbatch (EPMC Awardee)

Related Research

Grants with similar aims, by meaning.

Blackness in Britain: Beyond the Black Atlantic
Partnership for Black People's Health: involving Black communities in addressing health inequalities
Black British History: Local Perspectives
NERCOUTE Creating Spaces Of Belonging: The UK Black In NERC Science Pipeline
Barriers to health research at Blackpool Council - developing potential solutions using consensus methodology

Original classification

Discretionary Award

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