Investing in research, development and innovation
Issue
The UK excels in research, development and innovation, and innovative companies are an important contributor to economic growth. We want to use our talent to make the UK the best place in the world to run an innovative business or service.
Actions
We are:
• protecting the £4.6 billion per annum funding for science and research programmes in cash terms during the spending review period
• trying to be smarter and more strategic in how we procure goods, works and services to encourage innovation
• helping researchers, developers, innovators and businesses bring together specific knowledge, skills, technical resources and financial capital
• getting business to work more closely with universities and research institutions to create more opportunities to commercialise their research
• making taxpayer-funded research accessible and free of charge to use through open access
• making it easier for England’s businesses that have ambition and potential to improve and grow through the Business Growth Service
• setting up a pilot scheme to create University Enterprise Zones (UEZ), aimed at encouraging greater university-business interaction to increase innovation and growth
National Academies
We are also responsible for government funding of important programmes run by the UK’s 4 National Academies These include research fellowships that allow the most capable academics to work full-time on research. This in turn helps maintain excellence in the UK research base and secures future economic returns from our investment in science and research.
Royal Society – the UK’s national academy of science British Academy – promotes the humanities and social sciences Royal Academy of Engineering – the UK’s national academy of engineering Academy of Medical Sciences – promotes medical sciences and its translation into benefits for society
Background
We published the Innovation and research strategy for growth on 8 December 2011. The main aim of the strategy is to support business research and development in areas where the UK excels.
Case studies
• DFID Research: Uncovering Hidden Research
The INASP Journals Online project supports online publishing of peer-reviewed journals from developing and emerging countries
• James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
The telescope will study the first stars and galaxies and examine the physical and chemical properties of solar systems.
• Electro-conductive materials: switching people on to science
London-based start-up Bare Conductive make innovative electro-conductive materials that bring surfaces - and technology - to life.
• Regenerative medicine: a new therapy for stroke patients
ReNeuron’s stem-cell based therapy regenerates healthy cells - replacing stroke-damaged ones and reducing impairment.
• Medical imaging: diagnosing dementia earlier
Innovate UK grant funding is helping IXICO research and develop imaging technology that enables early, accurate diagnosis of dementia.
From:
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
Innovate UK
The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP
E-infrastructure Leadership Council
Synthetic Biology Leadership Council