Scottish Government Rural Affairs and the Environment Strategic Research Strategy 2011 - 2016

1

Research Programmes funded by SEERAD Science and Research Group will demonstrate increasing and clear relevance to Scottish Executive policy priorities.

Achieved and continuing priority for 2011-16

2

The proportion of research funded by SEERAD Science and Research Group classified as policy relevant will increase

Subsumed within action above

3

The proportion of applied research (according to Frascati manual definitions) will increase.

Achieved and continuing priority for 2011-16

4

SEERAD Science and Research Group will be unlikely to support basic research but will continue to fund strategic underpinning research of policy relevance.

Continuing priority for 2011-16

5

Work currently undertaken by the MRPs which is no longer required will be identified.

To be addressed in Portfolio Review and bespoke reviews as required

6

Research will be commissioned as Programmes which will have high level policy objectives as the drivers.

Drivers encapsulated in themes of 2011-16 Programme. Future funding models to be covered in Portfolio Review

7

An increasing proportion of SEERAD Science and Research Group funds will be subject to competition.

15% funds open to limited competition in 2011-16. Continuing priority with the proportion of funds subject to competition to be explored in the Portfolio Review

8

SEERAD Science and Research Group will develop a system for assessment of Research Programmes and providers which takes full account of relevance, quality and value.

Performance Management Framework developed for 2011-16 Programme. Portfolio Review to consider relevance, quality and impact

9

SEERAD Science and Research Group will use peer review systems for advice on the quality and value of research it funds.

Proposals for 2011-16 Programme were subject to peer review

10

SEERAD Science and Research Group will set up a Strategic Advisory Panel to advise on matters of research strategy and policy.

Strategic Research Programme Board established in 2012 to provide strategic direction and oversight of research portfolio

11

Appropriate mechanisms for commercialisation of the research outputs from the SEERAD Science and Research Group research portfolio will be encouraged.

Support for Innovation and Economy one of five strategic priorities for 2011-16 Programme. Portfolio Review to explore scope to enhance support for commercialisation opportunities

12

A separate stream of funding for knowledge transfer activities will be identified within each Programme.

Overarching Knowledge Exchange Strategy developed for the 2011-16 Research Programmes and a minimum of 5% of the value of each research theme to be directed toward KE

13

MRPs will be asked to develop strategies for end-user engagement.

Set out in Knowledge Transfer Strategy for 2011-16 Programme. Requires continuing focus and attention

14

The Strategic Advisory Panel will be asked for guidance on strategic level end-user engagement.

Discussion of KE Strategy with Strategic Research Programme Board

15

SEERAD Science and Research Group will continue to look for opportunities to publicise and disseminate the work of the Research Programme to as wide a public audience as possible.

Captured within KE Strategy. RESAS focus on raising awareness within SG and CAMERAS partnership

16

SEERAD Science and Research Group will, on a continuing basis, identify those parts of its Research Programme which require to be conducted in an Institute setting.

Underpinning Capacity established in 2011-16 Research Portfolio to fund Institution-specific activities, assets and infrastructure necessary to maintain the strategic science base

17

Further consultancy studies will examine the issues involved in forming long term relationships between Universities and SEERAD Science and Research Group's MRPs and the scope and potential for reorganisation and integration of the MRPs to support common activities.

Merger of RINH within University of Aberdeen in 2008; Merger of Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and Scottish Crop Research Institutes to form James Hutton Institute in April 2011 (wider merger of MRPs ruled out at that time)

18

SEERAD Science and Research Group will support the deepening of relations between its MRPs and Universities.

Centres of Expertise and Strategic Partnerships funded as collaborative Initiatives between the MRPs and wider University sector. Continuing priority

19

SEERAD Science and Research Group will look for opportunities to fund jointly with other relevant research funders at the Project, Programme and Initiative level.

Joint funding arrangements in place with BBSRC and TSB. Continuing priority to ensure maximising value research spend

20

Research will be funded through grants for rolling Programmes.

Future funding models to be examined in Portfolio Review

21

A development funding stream will be introduced.

Funding for seedcorn activity provided as part of Underpinning Capacity