Economic growth remains one of the defining challenges and opportunities of our time. Around the world, governments and research bodies are investing in research and innovation as key levers to create more productive, inclusive, and sustainable economies. The Economic Growth Spotlight Theme aims to position LSE at the forefront of this global agenda by driving research, partnerships, impact, and innovations that address how growth can be generated, shared, and sustained across different contexts.
While the UK’s Industrial Strategy, Growth Mission, and UKRI’s Strategy 2022-2027 identify productivity, innovation, and levelling up as national priorities, similar ambitions are shared internationally: the EU’s Green Deal and Horizon Europe frameworks emphasise sustainable and digital growth; the US’s AI Action Plan links technological leadership to economic competitiveness; and countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America are developing growth policies tied to green transformation, digital infrastructure, and inclusion. This Spotlight Theme recognises that economic growth is a shared global concern, demanding locally grounded yet internationally relevant research.
Scope
In-scope topics may include, but are not limited to:
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Job creation
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Productivity and skills
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Research and Development (R&D)
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Foreign direct investment
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Digital and green growth
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Innovation and entrepreneurship
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Trade and global value chains
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Regional and rural development
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Institutional and policy frameworks that enable equitable and sustainable prosperity
We particularly welcome pilot research which is likely to result in applications for external funding relating to aspects of economic growth and encourage applicants to explain how their projects are likely to result in such applications.
Interdisciplinary approaches, particularly those integrating social sciences with STEM, data science, or environmental perspectives, are also welcomed.
How to apply
The Economic Growth Spotlight Theme is embedded across the next round of the following internal funding schemes (deadline: Friday 10 April 2026, 5pm GMT). Applicants are encouraged to read the specific focus of each scheme to determine the best fit for their project.
If you plan to apply under this spotlight theme, please indicate in the application form that you are applying to the ‘Spotlight Theme’ rather than the ‘Open’ call and include a brief justification.
All spotlight theme applications will follow the existing assessment criteria and peer review process applicable to each of the internal funding schemes, as listed below.
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LSE Seed Research Fund - We are seeking to support early-stage, exploratory research that generates new knowledge on how economies grow, adapt, and transform. The scheme funds bold, cross-disciplinary projects that investigate the drivers, barriers, and alternative pathways to economic growth across different sectors, regions, and scales.
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Engagement and Partnerships Fund - This funding opportunity supports communication, dissemination, and engagement activities that connect research on economic growth with non-academic audiences and partners. It funds efforts to scope new collaborations or strengthen existing relationships into more strategic, long-term partnerships.
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Impact Fund - We seek to support projects that are ready to translate research on economic growth into non-academic impact, such as job creation, productivity gains, or inclusive regional development.
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Innovation Fund - We support projects that accelerate the development and deployment of innovations with clear potential to enhance economic growth, productivity, and competitiveness. The scheme funds prototyping, technology transfer, and cross-sectoral partnerships that translate research into new products, services, or business models.
Support
If you are considering applying, please contact the relevant team (listed below) as early as possible for support before submitting your proposal:
General queries, feedback and comments on this spotlight call can be sent to ri.internalschemes@lse.ac.uk.