Fourth Call for Secondary Data Analysis Proposals (UK)

Deadline: 13-Feb-2026

The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) Fourth Call for Secondary Data Analysis Proposals invites researchers to analyze existing datasets to explore causes, contexts, and prevention of youth violence. The fund prioritizes studies with strong causal design, sector-specific insights (health, children’s services, youth justice), and research addressing racial disproportionality and online drivers of violence. Applications close on 13 February 2026.

The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) is seeking proposals for secondary data analysis projects that inform policy and practice on preventing children and young people’s involvement in crime and violence. This call focuses on statistical analyses of pre-existing datasets to identify causes, contexts, and effective prevention strategies for youth violence.

Objectives of the Call

The Fourth Call aims to:

• Generate actionable evidence to prevent youth involvement in violence

• Support research in health, children’s services, and youth justice sectors

• Investigate drivers and contexts of youth violence, including violence against women and girls, criminal exploitation, and digital/online influences

• Address racial disproportionality and equity in outcomes and interventions

• Build a robust evidence base to inform interventions, policies, and best practices

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Academic researchers

• Research organisations with experience in secondary data analysis

• Teams capable of accessing and analyzing existing datasets relevant to youth violence
  Applicants must demonstrate expertise in quantitative and/or statistical methodologies appropriate for impact evaluation, descriptive analysis, or causal inference.

Priority Research Areas

The YEF encourages proposals that focus on:
Health Sector

• Mental health and developmental disorders

• Exposure to pollutants or injuries

• Using health service data to assess interventions and trends

Children’s Services

• Causal impact of care experiences

• Effectiveness of interventions

• Identification and mitigation of criminal exploitation risk

Youth Justice

• Outcomes from different sentences and remand decisions

• Knife-related violence reduction strategies

• Restorative justice impact

Cross-Cutting Themes

• Violence affecting young women and girls

• Digital platforms and online drivers of violence

• Combinations of risk and protective factors

• Racial disproportionality and equity-focused analysis

Data Sources

Eligible secondary data sources include:

• Administrative datasets

• National surveys and longitudinal studies

• Pre-existing trials

• Locally held datasets

• Linked datasets

Budget and Duration

• No upper budget limit; typical awards: £100,000–£200,000

• Project duration: 18–24 months from contract signing to final report completion

Research Expectations

Proposals will be assessed based on:

• Clarity and relevance of research questions

• Methodology and analytical rigor

• Access to appropriate data

• Race equity considerations, including subgroup analyses and reflective interpretation

• Realistic timeline and deliverables

• Budget justification

• Team expertise and track record

Required Outputs

Successful projects must deliver:

1. Analysis plan with confirmed data access approvals

2. Interim report

3. Final report (subject to external peer review, published on YEF website)

Application Process

Step 1: Online Submission

• Complete the online application form

• Attach a completed budget template

• Deadline: 13 February 2026

• Applications submitted via email will not be accepted

Step 2: Shortlisting and Interview

• Shortlisted applicants invited for interviews: first two weeks of March 2026

Step 3: Notification

• Successful applicants informed by 27 March 2026

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing the online submission deadline

• Failing to submit the budget template

• Submitting incomplete methodology or unclear research questions

• Not addressing race equity considerations

• Using datasets without secured access

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What type of research is eligible?
Secondary data analysis projects focusing on youth violence, with strong causal or statistical designs.

Which sectors are prioritized?
Health, children’s services, and youth justice, with a focus on outcomes and prevention.

Can projects study online and digital influences?
Yes, proposals examining digital platforms and online drivers of youth violence are encouraged.

Is there a maximum budget?
No, but typical awards range between £100,000–£200,000.

How long can the project last?
Between 18–24 months from contract signing to final report completion.

When is the submission deadline?
13 February 2026.

Are outputs published?
Yes, all final reports undergo external peer review and are published on the YEF website.

Conclusion

The YEF Fourth Call for Secondary Data Analysis Proposals provides a strategic opportunity for researchers to influence policy and practice on youth violence. By leveraging existing datasets and prioritizing sector-specific, causal, and equity-focused research, selected projects will contribute to evidence-based interventions that protect and empower children and young people.

For more information, visit Youth Endowment Fund.