The International Research Development Funders Forum (IRDFF)  is an inclusive meeting that explores commonality across global funders, to improve research funding practices through collaboration. IRDFF are a international group of funders, representing global perspectives from high- to low-income countries.

History of IRDFF

In May 2017, thanks to the initiative and organisation of the Research Councils UK, a group of funders involved in research for development programming and funding initiatives met in Brussels.The purpose of this workshop was to act as a benchmarking activity, bringing together organisations across Europe that are engaged in similar initiatives which support research and capacity building activities focused on global development.

Since then IRDFF has been convened annually, hosted in rotation. 

In 2018, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) hosted the forum in Bern, Switzerland. 

In 2019, the UK Collaborative for Development Research (UKCDR) and the African Academy of Science (AAS) co-hosted the forum, in unique partnership with the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) Annual Meeting, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The next IRDFF Annual Meeting will be hosted virtually by Research Council of Norway, October 2020.

What are the aims of IRDFF?

  • Reflect and share experiences in research for development management practice and programming
  • Share good practices in equitable partnering
  • Strengthen the network of international research for development funders

Who are IRDFF Members?

In 2019, IRDFF’s existing members were:

IRDFF materials

Archive of past annual meeting materials including meeting reports, agendas and presentations

View here (Members only)