NRiPN members at northern universities can apply by midday on Friday 21 August 2026 to lead a short review on one of six current policing priorities.

Applications are now open for the next round of N8 Policing Research Partnership Agile Evidence Reviews, giving postgraduate and early career researchers the opportunity to to develop a focused, policy-relevant review for policing partners.

Agile Evidence Reviews help policing partners access and apply existing research more effectively. Rather than funding new empirical research, each review brings together academic publications and practitioner reports to summarise what is known, identify implications for police policy and practice, and highlight evidence gaps.

This year, applications are invited to deliver one of six review topics listed below. These have been identified by police partners in line with the N8 PRP 2025/6 Police Research Priorities. It is anticipated that three Reviews will be funded in this round.

Successful applicants will work with N8 PRP police partners and an academic lead to refine the scope of the review, develop search criteria and produce findings for practitioners.

Testimonials from previous awardees

Previous recipients have used the scheme to build practitioner relationships, develop their research profile and secure follow-on funding, demonstrating the value of the reviews as a route into policy-relevant policing research.

The AER provided a valuable opportunity to rapidly develop an emerging area of research and build a strong foundation for future work. Professionally, it has had a significant impact on my research profile, generating more interest, engagement, and opportunities for collaboration than any previous project I have undertaken.

Dr Emma Tuschick, Research Associate, Teesside University. Author of N8PRP Agile Evidence Review: ‘Suicide Prevention Measures for People Arrested or Under Investigation for Sexual Offences’.

I undertook this in the final year of my doctoral study and it has served as a fundamental part of my development as an early career researcher (ECR). It has been intellectually and professionally valuable, giving me the opportunity to lead academic and policing practitioner conversation in an area of significant cross-disciplinary interest. My findings are already forming the basis for ongoing enquiry with police partners and new grant applications.

Dr Naomi Davis-Crane, Senior Lecturer in the School of Justice Studies at Liverpool John Moores University. Author of N8PRP Agile Evidence Review: Measuring Culture in Policing

Eligibility

Applicants must be members of the N8 PRP New Researchers in Policing Network (NRiPN). NRiPN is free to join and open to all postgraduate and early career researchers at a university on the N8 PRP footprint.

Please note for this call the institution requirement will be strictly applied; only researchers affiliated with a university in the north of England will be considered for funding.

Find out more about joining NRiPN.

Topics

This round invites proposals on six topics:

Priority 1: Investigations and Outcomes

1. Policing response to COM Networks (Transnational virtual networks) – What is the nature of, and threat posed by, ‘COM’ Networks? Is there evidence on effective responses by policing or partner agencies, particularly with reference to the risk of targeted abuse, extremism and cybercrime posed to young people?
2. Modern slavery –What is the prevalence of Modern Slavery in England and Wales, and what evidence is there about how such crimes come to light? What police responses are currently in use and is there evidence for what is effective?
3. Understanding the threat of harm to victims of fraud – What is the impact of fraud on the victim? Does this differ for victims of online fraud?  Why do victims of fraud become repeat victims?

Priority 2: VAWG and Domestic abuse: Demand and Victimisation

4. Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA)– What is needed for effective police investigative responses to CSEA? Is there evidence about the skills, knowledge, training and capacity required?

Priority 3: Workforce: How can police officer workloads be managed effectively?

5. RASSO Teams Wellbeing– How do we understand the impact on wellbeing for officers in specialist Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) teams, and are there organisational models and approaches that can mitigate harm?

Priority 4: Neighbourhood Policing: Understanding neighbourhood and hotspot policing

6. Knife crime– Is there evidence on effective approaches to disrupting the sale and purchasing of knives to tackle knife crime?

Funding

Awards are expected to range from £2,000 to £10,000 and will cover reviewer staff costs at 100% FEC. Estates and indirect costs are not eligible.

Delivery

Reviews should be delivered in 3–6 months, beginning September – November 2026.

The final report will be ~10 pages. A 45-minute webinar will be scheduled following delivery where the reviewer will share and discuss their findings and the implications for policing research, policy and practice.

Application process

To apply, submit a completed application form and academic CV to Helen Gordon-Smith, N8 PRP Project Manager via email to helen.gordon-smith@manchester.ac.uk. N.b. please email Helen to request an application form.

The deadline for applications is Friday, 21 August 2026, midday.

Assessment is based on two criteria: the applicant’s capacity to deliver the Agile Evidence Review; and the quality of their proposal for delivering it.

Announcements will be made w/b 24 August 2026.

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