Submission to the Science and Technology Committee (Commons) Inquiry: A new UK research funding agency

Earlier this year the Russell Group responded to the Science and Technology Committee's inquiry on a new research funding agency, which asked about a new proposed agency's nature and purpose, and included the following questions:

• What gaps in the current UK research and development system might be addressed by an ARPA style approach?
• What are the implications of the new funding agency for existing funding bodies and their approach?
• What should be the focus be of the new research funding agency and how should it be structured?
• What funding should ARPA receive, and how should it distribute this funding to maximise effectiveness?
• What can be learned from ARPA equivalents in other countries?
• What benefits might be gained from basing UK ARPA outside of the ‘Golden Triangle’ (London, Oxford and Cambridge)?

Russell Group universities form a vital part of the research landscape in the UK and contribute globally. A new agency, broadly modelled on the USA’s DARPA, could drive the pull-through of disruptive innovations and address complex societal challenges. It also represents an important opportunity to drive engagement between academia, industry and other R&D partners. Entrepreneurial project managers could drive research forward and engaged customers, whether Government departments, business consortia or local authorities, should shape the direction of programmes to ensure success.