EPIC Futures NI, a Local Policy Innovation Partnership led by Ulster University, has today announced funding awards totalling £440,000 to eight pioneering organisations and their partners as part of the Phase 2 Policy Commissioning Call.
This major investment will fuel innovative research projects designed to create a more inclusive labour market across Northern Ireland. By bringing together academia, policymakers, business leaders, and the community and voluntary sector, EPIC Futures NI is building a powerful evidence base focused on delivering practical solutions that can transform policy and practice.
Delivered in partnership with the Department for Communities, Department for the Economy and Department of Finance, EPIC Futures NI is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and Innovate UK.
The Phase 2 Policy commissioning call aims to build robust insights around key themes that contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable labour market in Northern Ireland, particularly for people who are not in, or do not have access to, suitable paid employment or self-employment. The funded projects will explore new pathways to inclusion, advance theory, and provide actionable recommendations for government, employers, and communities.
Large Awards (Between £30,001 – £100,000)
IntrinsicAi & Pivotal: Northern Ireland Skills & Programme Compass – Pilot AI based Employer Skills Hub
Ulster University & YouthStart Consortium (Youth Action NI, Springboard Opportunities, King’s Trust, Include Youth, Start360, NI Youth Forum, Bytes): From the Ground Up: Exploring how youth work creates opportunities for young people to engage with education, employment and training.
Workplus Apprenticeships & IntrinsicAi: AI Pathways Navigator: Green Skills Edition – Inclusive Pathways to NI’s Net Zero Workforce.
Horizons Research, Northern Ireland Union of Supported Employment & University of Edinburgh: Evaluating and expanding ‘Supported Employment’ Models to Create Inclusive Pathways to Employment for Under-Represented Groups.
University of Strathclyde & Economic and Social Research Institute: Conflict Scarring on Employment Outcomes in Northern Ireland: A Place-Based Approach
Ulster University: Investigating the effectiveness of employer recruitment disclosures and practices in signaling an inclusive environment for autistic jobseekers in Northern Ireland.
Small Awards (Under £30,000)
Ulster University, Belfast Asian Women’s Academy & Belfast Community Training NI: Promoting Inclusive Entrepreneurship for Migrants in Northern Ireland: Challenges and Pathways.
Ulster University & London School of Economics and Political Science: What works for place-based economic inactivity?
This new wave of funding builds on the success of Phase 1, where eight projects explored topics around the themes of economic activity and how to develop inclusive workplaces.
Findings from the first wave of projects identified the barriers preventing thousands of people across Northern Ireland from entering or returning to the workforce and put forward evidence-based recommendations for government, employers, and communities, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive labour market. This research was presented in November 2025 at the Inform, Influence, Inspire Workshop at the Guildhall, Derry/Londonderry and full reports will be available by February 2026 on the EPIC Futures NI website.
Together, these projects represent a bold step towards reshaping employment in Northern Ireland, ensuring that opportunities are accessible, inclusive, and sustainable for everyone.
Professor Kristel Miller, Director of EPIC Futures NI and Professor of Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development at Ulster University Business School, announced the funding, commenting:
“These awards represent a significant step forward in tackling some of Northern Ireland’s most pressing employment challenges. From empowering young people through youth work, to harnessing AI for inclusive green skills and the development of a pilot AI employer skills hub, to expanding supported employment models and addressing the long-term scars of conflict, each project is designed to generate evidence that can directly shape fairer opportunities.
“We have been impressed by the quality of applications and the strength of partnerships presented in the Phase 2 Policy Commissioning Call, and together with research into employer practices that support neurodivergent and autistic jobseekers, migrant entrepreneurship, and place based economic inactivity, this funding will help us build a more inclusive and sustainable labour market for all.”
Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons said:
“Creating fair and inclusive employment opportunities is central to building stronger communities across Northern Ireland. My Department has been working alongside academics, business, local councils, and the community and voluntary sector to align policy and practice. These awards will help us better understand the barriers people face and develop practical solutions that ensure everyone has the chance to contribute and thrive. By supporting this innovative partnership, we are investing in a future where no one is left behind.”
Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald highlighted the importance of building an economy that works for everyone. She said:
“A dynamic and inclusive labour market is vital for long-term prosperity. Through the departmental support for EPIC Futures NI, we are harnessing research and collaboration to open new pathways into work, support underrepresented groups, and equip people with the skills needed for a changing economy. This UKRI funded grant investment demonstrates the commitment to building an economy that works for all.”
The Phase 2 Policy Commissioning Call will see Small Awards completed by June 2026 and Large Awards by September 2026. A showcase event will be held in October 2026. Readers can follow the progress of these projects and future opportunities by connecting with EPIC Futures NI on LinkedIn or by joining the mailing list atwww.epicfuturesni.org