Find out more about opportunities for Research Grant Funding through the Working With Dementia Network Plus
Expressions of Interest Open Now!
The Working With Dementia Network Plus Research Grant Fund is intended to promote innovative, transdisciplinary research that will deepen and broaden the evidence base on the topic of dementia and employment, with the ultimate purpose of enhancing the labour market experiences for those living with dementia and their carers’.
Funding is aimed at supporting the development of early career researchers from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, with their own diverse lived experiences, to engage in impact-focussed, transdisciplinary research that integrates knowledge from various academic fields as well as non-academic experience. This will provide new opportunities to expand traditional research boundaries with a focus on societal relevance and enable a growing research community in the field of dementia and employment into the future.
Research priorities
The Working With Dementia Network Plus Research Grant Fund has 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 following topics have been identified as priorities for further research within the Network’s themes:
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.
The following priorities have been identified for further research under this theme:
1. The impact of dementia on:
a. Personhood and identity. This may include a focus on career transitions and pathways for those living with dementia or caring for someone with dementia.
b. Agency and employment-related decision-making
c. Mental health and social interaction in the workplace
2. Pre & post-diagnostic support for employment. This may include a focus on current or proposed guidance, knowledge, and links with employers or employment services.
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.
The following priorities have been identified for further research under this theme:
1. Individualised assessment, adjustments and flexibility
2. Education, training, awareness-raising and de-stigmatisation
3. Workplace policy, guidance, and practical support and signposting
4. Workplace initiatives
5. Person-centred and empathetic workplace cultures
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.
The following priorities have been identified for further research under this theme:
1. Individual and family finances, as it relates to:
a. Household income needs, challenges, changes
b. Pensions
c. Benefits
2. Organisational economics, as it relates to:
a. Recruitment and retention
b. Cost-effectiveness for implementation of inclusive practices
c. Capacity building and retention of institutional knowledge
3. Societal economics, as it relates to:
a. Demographic and macro-economic trends or data gaps on those of working-age with dementia and carers of those living with dementia
b. Policy and legal frameworks
c. Employability infrastructure, such as available funding for employers, existing schemes for workplace inclusion, and interconnection between employers, social and health services
All research should also demonstrate an alignment and commitment to the following:
Applicants should also consider the following cross-cutting priorities in the development of their research plans and proposals:
– Focus of research on those who are living with dementia and/or carers of those living with dementia
– Evidence of a transdisciplinary approach to research, embedding interdisciplinary academic teams with meaningful engagement with stakeholders in the planning and delivery of the research, including those with lived experience, relevant community groups, employers or employment organisations and social and health services.
We are especially interested in funding new insights that promote justice, equity, diversity and inclusion through a focus on the context-specific intersectional needs and barriers to working with dementia. Applicants should consider the impact of the following areas as they develop their research plans and proposals:
– Highlighting experiences of different employment types, considering varying organisation types, sizes, sectors as well as those who are self-employed, contract workers, lone workers or remote workers
– Understanding the experiences of under-represented and minority groups. This may include a focus on gender, age, socio-economic status, race and ethnicity, comorbidities and disability, sexual orientation, rural and urban disparities, and experiences related to more rare forms of dementia. This may also be embedded in the research team or stakeholder composition.
About the scheme
Call for Expressions of Interest: OPEN 26th March 2026 – 1st June 2026
The Working With Dementia Network Plus invites eligible teams to submit an Expression of Interest for the Research Grant Fund by 1st June 2026. Expressions of Interest will be reviewed and assessed by representatives of the Network, including its academic team, Lived Experience Panel, Stakeholder Advisory Group and Early Career Researcher Forum. Please be aware that you must submit an Expression of Interest to be considered for funding, as only those projects shortlisted at this stage will be invited to submit a full proposal for awarding.
Who can apply?
Please read our detailed guidance for more information on eligibility.
What funding is available?
For example, a project at £50,000 fEC will be awarded £40,000 (80% fEC) by the Network with the additional £10,000 of costs contributed by the awarded organisation.
Will the funding cover salary and non-salary costs?
We encourage applicants to consider the funding limit when designing their project scope, to ensure this can meaningfully reflect the time, effort and resources required.
Please note: individuals that have received previous funding to cover salary costs from the Working With Dementia Network+ will not be eligible to apply for further salary support, but are welcome to contribute time in-kind to related projects.
What is the maximum duration of projects?
Please be aware that projects will not be permitted to commence until required ethical approval at the recipient organisation-level is approved to avoid delays in research time funded.
When considering project duration, it is important to factor in timeframes for conducting research activities, analysis and producing outputs. Please consider carefully the scope of your project given the maximum duration of 12 months.
When will I find out if I am successful?
A shortlist of applicants that submit an Expression of Interest will be invited to submit a full proposal by 5th October 2026, with outcomes of awarding by 27th November 2026. Projects are anticipated to commence by 1 March 2027.
How can I find out more information before submitting my Expression of Interest?
The full recording of the Information Session will be posted on this page.
Downloadable Resources
Here you can find more information on the Research Grant Fund, guidance on how to apply, and Expression of Interest template. Please read these documents carefully.
- Research Grant Funding guidance
Detailed information on the fund, eligibility and how to apply.
- Expression of Interest form
Template to be completed and returned to wwdnetworkplus@uws.ac.uk by 12pm on 1st June 2026