The Financial Conduct Authority has announced six winning projects in its economic research competition, which is intended to improve understanding of how regulation can support economic growth. The selected teams will receive funding of up to GBP 30,000 per project. Launched in November 2024, the competition attracted 43 entries from 41 organisations, including academics, think tanks and consultancies; proposals closed on 15 December 2024 and awards were made on 22 December 2024. The funded topics cover productivity measurement in UK financial services (LSE Growth Lab), competitiveness and exports via foreign direct investment (Edinburgh Innovations Ltd), innovation risk appetite in private financial services firms (Beauhurst), UK fintech sector risks and implications for consumer credit and growth (University College London), access to follow-on financing for newly listed firms (University of Birmingham), and how post-global-financial-crisis regulatory changes may have reshaped financial stability and growth risks (Fathom Financial Consulting). The FCA set 31 March 2025 as the completion date for the research.
Financial Conduct Authority 2025-12-05
United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority awards up to GBP 30,000 each to six winners of its economic growth research competition
The Financial Conduct Authority announced six winning projects in its economic research competition aimed at enhancing understanding of regulation's role in economic growth. Each project will receive up to GBP 30,000 in funding, covering topics such as productivity in UK financial services, fintech sector risks, and the impact of post-crisis regulatory changes on financial stability. The research is expected to be completed by 31 March 2025.