Rural Affairs and the Environment (RAE) Consultation on the Research Strategy for 2016-2021.

9. The 'Supply' Base

No single funder of research is able to take sole responsibility for or fund an entire area of research. The on-going investment by RESAS needs to be viewed as sitting within a broader landscape of funders within and beyond the SG.

9.1 CAMERAS

The strategy set out here needs to recognise that broader funding landscape and ensure that there is connectivity and cohesiveness. RESAS will continue to support this by facilitating key links and interfaces with partners, including in Scotland with CAMERAS organisations that have, as part of their remit, the alignment and coordination of scientific activity.

The SG is committed to the CAMERAS initiative and in particular to the partnership's responsibility for the alignment and coordination of SG funded science. We will therefore work actively with all our CAMERAS partners, including integrating and coordinating research and evidence provision through implementation of a RAE Evidence Strategy.

Question 12: Do you have specific suggestions as to how the RESAS research strategy can contribute to the delivery of the objectives of the CAMERAS partnership?

9.2 Scottish and UK Research Council Funding

Relevant examples of coordination within Scotland include RESAS funding for the university sector for their contribution to CoEs and SPs, which provides a connection to the pool of expertise primarily supported through the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). Outwith Scotland the SG uses the CRF to enter into partnerships with other funders including the UK Research Councils and the Technology Strategy Board. The objective of these collaborations is to contribute to research areas of particular relevance to Scotland and to foster scientific connectivity across the UK science base and beyond.

Successful delivery of the strategic priorities proposed here is ultimately dependent on the long-term viability, vigour and fitness for purpose of the science base. In addition to delivering outputs that are relevant and deliver impact for stakeholders the science base also needs to retain scientific quality and resilience. SG will continue to work jointly with other research funders to secure the science base in Scotland.

Question 13: Do you have any suggestions for developing the partnership with other research funders?

9.3 Higher education sector

The SG also needs to ensure it has access to expertise that is additional to, complimentary to, or simply not available within its MRPs. This need is recognised in the 2011-2016 portfolio where relevant parts of the university sector have become valued partners in and received funding for their contribution to the CoEs and SPs.

Based on experience to date the SG proposes to continue to develop its relationship and to strengthen engagement with the higher education sector. We therefore wish to identify and explore mechanisms that can help deliver this. Areas of particular relevance are innovation and integrated research platforms in specific areas of science. Potential mechanisms include new collaborations with other research funders; investment in new or on-going initiatives, e.g. international research institutes; etc.

Question 14: Do you have any particular suggestions as to how greater engagement with the HEI sector might be achieved?