Today the government have published their Higher Education White Paper which outlines the details of a new single funding body called UK Research and Innovation.
UK Research and Innovation will incorporate the functions of the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK and HEFCE. Importantly the name, brands and separate budgets of the Research Councils and Innovate UK will be retained, with the dual support system also protected.
ADS have particularly highlighted that the government should ensure a clear and separate mandate for Innovate UK and the Research Councils, as well as aligning industrially relevant research with business needs and industrial strategy – it is positive to see this reflected in the White Paper.
The White Paper supports many other recommendations made by ADS, including:
- A greater focus on cross-cutting issues
- Improved collaboration between the research base and the commercialisation of discoveries in the business community
- Better mechanisms for sharing of expertise and best practice
