CIPR Opens 2026 Research Fund Offering Grants of Up to £2,000

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) opened applications for its 2026 Research Fund in January, continuing what is now the sixth consecutive year of the grant programme. The fund offers CIPR members grants of up to £2,000 to support independent research relevant to the development of the wider public relations profession.

Applications are encouraged from individuals and teams at any stage of their careers, with a deadline of 15 April 2026. As part of the Institute's commitment to inclusion, applicants are not required to have prior research experience and will be offered a free CIPR training course to help develop or refresh their research skills. This makes the fund accessible to practitioners who have never previously undertaken formal research, as well as established academics and senior practitioners.

Research projects must be in line with the CIPR's Royal Charter and its 2025–2029 strategy, and applications will be decided by the CIPR's Research Fund Panel. The programme has previously supported projects examining the impact of AI on communications practice, diversity and inclusion in the profession, internal communications, and the measurement of PR value.

The 2026 fund launch comes alongside the CIPR's recently opened 2026 Excellence Awards, now in their 42nd year, which have added three new categories this year: best Change Communication Campaign, best In-House Campaign, and best Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative.