Property Research Trust – Aubrey Barker Fund Research Grant [up to £10,000 ]

Omran Aburayya
May 12
2 min read

Are you driven to address land tenure, property rights, or urban development challenges in developing countries? Do you want to lead research that promotes sustainability, innovation, and community empowerment? Applications are now open for the 2025 Property Research Trust – Aubrey Barker Fund Research Grant, offering up to £10,000 to support outstanding research that contributes to public good in the land and property sector. Whether you are a university researcher, part of a non-profit, or in the private sector, this is your chance to fund impactful, socially responsible research.

💵 Grant Summary

Location: Global (with focus on developing countries as per World Bank classification)
Host Institutions: Property Research Trust (PRT) & Aubrey Barker Fund (ABF)
Level: Postgraduate-level research projects
Target Group: Researchers (individuals or teams) in academia, NGOs, or commercial organizations
Fields of Focus: Land tenure, property rights, urban development, sustainability, technology in land/property management
Award Value: Up to £10,000 GBP in research funding
Award Duration: 6–12 months (flexible, based on proposal)
Application Deadline: Friday, 4 July 2025, 17:00 GMT
Start Date: Negotiable after selection
Eligible To: Applicants working in or in partnership with developing countries (as defined by the World Bank)

Grant Overview

The Property Research Trust (PRT), in partnership with the Aubrey Barker Fund (ABF), invites proposals for research projects that make a meaningful contribution to property, land, and real estate knowledge in developing countries. The initiative supports research that not only advances academic understanding but also brings real-world benefits to local communities.

Research proposals must significantly address at least two of the following core themes:

Land tenure and property rights
Sustainable and resilient settlement development
Urban development challenges
Local land and property sector capacity building
Use of technology in property/land management

The grant promotes a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach and encourages empirical or data-modelled studies. Projects may span the fields of surveying, urban planning, GIS, property law, or real estate management.

🎁 Benefits

Funding of up to £10,000 GBP for original research projects
Global recognition through an esteemed UK-based trust with international reach
Opportunities for public policy influence and knowledge dissemination
Flexible duration (6–12 months) to accommodate different research timelines
Freedom to collaborate across institutions or sectors
No co-funding requirement, although collaborative funding is welcome

✅Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following:

Be individuals or teams from academic institutions, businesses, or NGOs
Conduct research in, or in formal partnership with, a developing country
Demonstrate strong academic or professional track record
Propose a clear methodology, realistic outcomes, and high-quality written communication
Focus on public benefit and capacity building in the land/property sector

⚠️ Note: The fund does not cover travel for interviews or transcription costs.