Submission on Innovate UK’s integration with Research UK

In February 2016, the Academy submitted evidence to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, to inform their consultation on Innovate UK’s integration with Research UK.

The consultation follows recommendations made in the Nurse Review of the Research Councils to bring the seven Research Councils under an overarching body – Research UK – and to integrate Innovate UK with this new body.

Our submission acknowledges the potential benefits of these proposals in promoting ever more effective coordination between the Research Councils and Innovate UK, but sets out several concerns about the disruption that major structural changes could introduce to this highly successful sector. We advocate careful thought, as well as continued consultation with the sector, in order to determine a model under which both the Research Councils and Innovate UK can retain their autonomy and continue to perform their essentially different functions in the most effective way possible.

The Academy will continue to engage across government and the wider sector as these proposals develop.