Stay tuned for Expression of Interest opening on 26th March 2026
The Working With Dementia Network Plus will be launching its first Research Grant Funding call on 26th March 2026.
The Grant Fund will promote innovative, transdisciplinary research to deepen and broaden the evidence on the topic of dementia and employment, with the ultimate purpose of enhancing the labour market and life experiences for those living with dementia and their carers’.
Funding will be aimed also at supporting the development of early career researchers from a range of disciplinary background, who bring their own diverse lived experiences, to engage in impact-focussed research that integrates knowledge from various academic fields as well as non-academic experience. We hope to provide new opportunities to expand traditional research boundaries with a focus on societal relevance, and to enable a growing research community in the field of dementia and employment into the future.
About the funding call
Funding will be eligible for projects led by early career researchers at UK research institutes, in line with UKRI criteria. We acknowledge that definitions of ‘early career researcher’ are varying and we aim to take a broad and inclusive approach with the aim of supporting researcher development. Lead applicants may identify a definition of ‘early career researcher’ previously used by a UK funding body, and specify in their application the suitability of this description with their status.
Awarding of funds will be done through a two-stage process, with an initial Expression of Interest that will be reviewed and assessed by a representative committee including members of the Network’s academic team, Lived Experience Panel, Stakeholder Advisory Group and Early Career Researcher Forum. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal and provided support to refine and strengthen their projects where needed by the Network teams.
Applicants may apply for projects costed up to £50,000 Full Economic Costing, with awards at 80% Full Economic Costing in line with the UKRI funding eligibility.
Details of the Expression of Interest, including all documentation to complete and guidance will be available when the call is made live on 26th March 2026. We will host an information webinar to provide further information and respond to Q&A on 21st April 2026. Sign up for the webinar and stay tuned on details here: Working With Dementia Network Plus Research Grant Funding Information Webinar + Q&A – Fill in form
Working With Dementia Network+ Research Priorities
The Research Grant Fund will support the Network’s ambitions to make a tangible difference in the lives of those living with dementia and their carers’. Research priorities for the Fund have been developed with insights from a priority-setting research project conducted by academics at the University of the West of Scotland. This research study, using Nominal Group Technique, conducted a series of focus groups with stakeholders to identify their priorities for improving the work-related experiences of people living with dementia and family carers. Focus groups were conducted with people living with dementia, carers, academics and researchers, policymakers and employers to gain broad insights and identify cross-cutting priorities.
The results of this priority-setting research have been used to inform the focus of this call for proposals, aligned to the Network’s themes of:
Work and Wellbeing
This research theme is focussed on exploring how work impacts on the individual, with the aim of identifying mechanisms to support those living with dementia and their carers to maximise their participation in society as it relates to employment, in ways that promote their health and wellbeing.
Inclusive Workplaces
This research theme is focussed on exploring how relationships, systems, cultures and knowledge in the workplace shape experiences of those living with dementia and carers. This research theme aims to understand how employment practices can enable justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, enabling individuals to be empowered in their contributions.
Economic Costs & Benefits
This research theme is focussed on exploring the economic implications of promoting work-based interventions and wider impacts of working with dementia on society. This research theme aims to provide new insights on financial aspects of dementia care, economic implications at organisation and macro-levels, and consider sustainable solutions.
More details on the specific priorities identified for further research under each theme will be shared in the guidance provided when the Expression of Interest opens on 26th March 2026. Please check out our resources page for insights and more on the area of dementia and employment.
Acknowledgments
We would like to acknowledge the support of the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Alzheimer’s Society for their role in the founding of the Working With Dementia Network Plus.
The Working With Dementia Network Plus is a collaborative research network, led by the University of the West of Scotland in collaboration with Lancaster University, Northumbria University, Edinburgh Napier University, University of Warwick and Wilfred Laurier University. This partnership, alongside the Network’s Lived Experience Panel and Stakeholder Advisory Group have enabled shaping the Research Grant Funding call.