What data and metrics exist which could be used to estimate the return on R&I activities?

Background

IRIA aims to build an evidence base useful for monitoring the effectiveness of UK international research collaboration, determining the value-for-money of international R&I interventions and comparing the UK with other countries. We support a wide range of programmes as well as building an evidence base that can be used for new interventions. This includes government plans to protect and support UK science, research, technology and innovation (SRTI) sectors, should association to Horizon Europe on fair and appropriate terms not be possible.
We are interested in assessing the value delivered from infrastructure which supports research and innovation, such as laboratories or institution headquarters. An example of this is the project to relocate the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) to the University of Readings’ campus.

We seek to provide monetised estimates of the impact of international R&I, especially international collaboration in R&I. This is salient for collaboration between more economically developed countries (or HMG non-ODA interventions) but is also relevant for collaboration between the UK and less economically developed countries (or HMG ODA interventions). We are also interested in being able to quantify ODA outcomes which cannot be appropriately monetised. The aim is to build an evidence base comparable to domestic impacts of R&I, for example by addressing questions including:

Next steps

If you are keen to register your interest in working and connecting with DSIT Science, Innovation, and Research Directorate, and/or submitting evidence, then please complete the DSIT-ARI Evidence survey - https://dsit.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cDfmK2OukVAnirs

Link to ARIs : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology-areas-of-research-interest/dsit-areas-of-research-interest-2024

Related UKRI funded projects


  • Investigation of the impact of co-location: economies of scope and scale in biomedical and health research

    It is important to achieve the best outcomes from public sector investments in medical research. To do this, research funders need to understand where they should invest the limited funds they have available to maximise ...

    Funded by: MRC

    Lead research organisation: RAND Europe

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project investigates the impact of co-location in biomedical research, which aligns with the question's focus on estimating the return on R&I activities.

  • Novel method for tracking the translation processes that lead to impact from Biomedical research - A pilot study

    The MRC Economic Impact call states that "The MRC wishes to understand better the link between research and wider economic and societal impacts, and to use this understanding to improve strategies for the future sup...

    Funded by: MRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Sussex

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on tracking translation processes in biomedical research, which partially aligns with the question's focus on estimating the return on R&I activities.

  • Grant Balances 2010 - University of Loughborough

    EPSRC funds will be used for the following strategic purposes: firstly, to enable Loughborough University researchers to undertake a small number of pilot research projects (up to 5) in engineering, mathematics, ICT or s...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: Loughborough University

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on grant balances and strategic purposes at the University of Loughborough, which is not directly related to estimating the return on R&I activities.

  • Capital investment to benefit Early Career Researchers

    The University of York operates globally, aiming to be among the best universities in the world. It aims to provide an environment that attracts and retains the very best researchers, internationally, to encourage and fa...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of York

  • Launchpad Cluster Management: Liverpool City Region

    Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCR CA) has developed an Innovation Prospectus for the region and set itself two ambitious targets: 1. increase current 2% GVA spend on R&D to 5% by 2030 2. achieve net zero...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: LCR VENTURES LIMITED

  • Small Items of Research Equipment at the University of Surrey

    This application for small scale equipment was developed from responses elicited from ECRs, defined as EPSRC funded postgraduate researchers and postdoctoral researchers, fellows (funded as independent researchers throug...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Surrey

  • 2018 STFC Regional Centre

    As one of Europe's largest multidisciplinary research organisations, STFC has world-class research facilities and capabilities. It is responsible for funding much of the research in UK universities in the fields of astro...

    Funded by: UUI

    Lead research organisation: University of Birmingham

  • IAA Proposal

    OBJECTIVE 1: To strengthen interaction between NERC-funded science and the user community, primarily businesses, to accelerate and amplify the impact of NERC science. The approach taken will work alongside the Objective...

    Funded by: NERC

    Lead research organisation: University of Cambridge

  • STFC IPS Fellowship Extension

    The transfer of knowledge and technology from academic research groups into industry in order to boost the UK economy is a priority for the UK government. One mechanism for helping this process is to employ Innovation Fe...

    Funded by: STFC

    Lead research organisation: University of Sussex

  • Research Equipment at SOUthamptoN: Delivering Innovation in the Next Generation (RESOUNDING)

    The EPSRC Capital Award presents an ideal opportunity to provide Early Career Researchers with essential capital investment, in order to ensure that the highest quality research is delivered by our most promising next ge...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Southampton

Similar ARIs from other organisations