IEEP has been awarded Independent Research Organisations status by the UK Research Councils. This recognises IEEP’s high quality research capability and contribution to the UK research base. It makes us eligible for research funding with two Councils, ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) and NERC (Natural Environment Research Council). We have received UK Research Council funding in the past, but new rules were introduced a few years ago requiring non-academic institutions to apply for IRO status in order to be eligible to apply for funding.