(Minister of
State for Universities and Science (Department for Business,
Energy and Industrial Strategy)): I am
pleased to announce that I have commissioned Professor Sir Adrian
Smith, Director and Chief Executive of the Alan Turing Institute,
to provide independent advice on the design of UK funding schemes
for international collaboration, innovation and curiosity-driven
blue-skies research.
The UK is a world-leading research nation with a globally
connected research base. Collaboration with European and wider
international partners is key to our strength in science and
research: more than half of the UK’s research output involves
such collaboration. The UK is in the top four of global
innovation nations and we draw in more internationally mobile
Research and Development (R&D) than other large countries,
with a total of 16 per cent of UK R&D investment financed
from abroad.
This Government is bringing forward the largest investment in
R&D on record. As outlined in our modern Industrial Strategy,
we are committed to reaching 2.4% of GDP invested in R&D by
2027, and 3 per cent in the longer term. International
partnerships and collaboration will play an important part in
helping to achieve our ambitions, including in supporting the
Industrial Strategy’s Grand Challenges to put the UK at the
forefront of the industries of the future. Professor Sir Adrian
Smith’s advice will help set the direction for the implementation
of the Government’s ambition to ensure the UK continues to be a
global leader in science, research and innovation, and an
attractive country for individuals to study and work.
Furthermore, Sir Adrian’s advice will help inform the upcoming
Spending Review.
The Terms of Reference, outlining the scope, timescale and
reporting of this work are below.
Terms of Reference for the Commission of Professor Sir
Adrian Smith
General
- The Secretary of State for BEIS has commissioned Professor
Sir Adrian Smith to provide independent advice on the design of
potential future UK funding schemes for international, innovation
and curiosity-driven blue-skies research, in the context of the
UK’s future ambitions for international collaboration on research
and innovation. This document outlines the terms of reference for
this work.
- The global landscape for science and innovation is changing,
and access to knowledge, markets, skills and partners now takes
place on a global basis. Global Research and Development
(R&D) capacity is expanding and non-Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries account for a
growing share of global R&D, both in terms of researchers and
investment. Better understanding is needed on whether the UK’s
current funding mechanisms, resources and bilateral and
multilateral partnerships will be fit for purpose when set
against the projected trends in international research and
innovation, and against new technology and industry roadmaps and
the forecast social, economic and environmental trends.
- The UK’s participation in Horizon 2020, the current European
Union (EU) Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, has
benefited the UK’s science, research and innovation landscape. It
provides opportunities for UK entities to collaborate with EU and
international counterparts and funding for multiple elements
including innovation, international collaborations and
partnerships, and curiosity-driven ‘excellence’ based research.
Horizon Europe is the successor to Horizon 2020 and will run from
2021 to 2027. The UK remains committed to ongoing collaboration
in research and innovation with partners across Europe. To this
end the UK would like the option to associate to Horizon Europe
and is continuing to actively shape the development of that
programme. However, we are also exploring in parallel credible
and ambitious alternatives to deliver positive outcomes for
science, research and innovation in the event that the UK chooses
not to associate.
Purpose
- Professor Sir Adrian Smith has been invited to provide
independent advice on how funding future international
collaboration, from curiosity-driven ‘discovery’ funding through
to innovation, can best be designed to positively impact science,
research and innovation in the UK, and to support the
Government’s strategic objectives, including the Industrial
Strategy and its commitment to 2.4% of GDP invested in R&D by
2027.
- In the immediate term, Professor Sir Adrian will be asked to
advise on the design and delivery of elements of the potential
alternatives to Horizon Europe association. This will include the
Discovery Fund, which aims to provide a UK alternative to the
curiosity-driven and excellence-focused elements of Horizon
Europe.
- On the Discovery Fund Professor Sir Adrian Smith will be
asked to consider:
- The design of UK alternative funds i.e. the scale, scope
and any international elements of proposed funds, and how
they could complement the current UK funding landscape;
- The delivery of UK alternative funds i.e. how strategic
direction could be determined, how proposals could be
reviewed.
- On international collaboration, Professor Sir Adrian Smith
will be asked to consider:
- How funding mechanisms, resources, and international
partnerships can remain fit for purpose for our global
ambition to support the International Research and Innovation
Strategy, which will be published in the coming months.
- How international collaboration can best support the
Government’s Industrial Strategy and 2.4% target.
- Professor Sir Adrian’s advice will help inform the upcoming
spending review (as announced in the Spring Statement) and
longer-term value-for-money considerations on international
collaboration for research and innovation.
- Professor Sir Adrian will have the independence to engage
with relevant stakeholders and seek expert advice as he sees fit.
Time Scale
- It is anticipated interim findings will be presented to BEIS
ministers in the Summer of 2019.
Reporting
- Professor Sir Adrian Smith will report to the Minister of
State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation.
Professor Sir Adrian will provide an update on progress on a
regular (monthly) basis, to BEIS officials. A summary of his
interim findings will be published by BEIS.
