UK Consumer Champion Which? launches “The Which? Fund” for research projects that will make a difference to under-represented consumers (application deadline: 29 September 2021)

UK consumer champion Which? has just launched The Which? Fund, offering grants for research projects aiming to make a difference for under-represented groups of consumers. A total of £75,000 of funding available in 2021/22.

The deadline for Stage 1 (initial) applications is 11:59pm on Wednesday 29 September 2021.

With consumer harm taking many forms, and often difficult to spot, particularly in digital markets or when affecting specific consumer groups that might be exposed to different or more harms than others, the new fund will support research projects working to improve understanding of the specific consumer harms these communities experience or to develop evidence-based solutions to these issues. 

Which? is inviting UK registered charities and universities to apply for funding for research projects across its four impact areas of:

o Money.
o Consumer rights and protections.
o Digital life, and
o Scams. 

Which? states that these projects should ‘build on what is already known, bringing new evidence and identifying novel solutions to help achieve real change. They should also be targeted at audiences with the power to make a difference and communicated in a compelling way.’

Which? is particularly keen to support organisations using innovative methodologies to uncover consumer harm. 

Rocio Concha, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Which?, said:

“Which? exists to make life simpler, fairer and safer for all consumers, but it is increasingly clear that consumer detriment can take many forms and be difficult to uncover – particularly due to digitalisation or when it affects certain groups of diverse or disadvantaged consumers.