Life-saving drugs, step-changes in energy efficiency, robots and amazing new materials that can transform our lives – these, and many scientific advances, are all the result of research and development (R&D). The UK funds £31.6 billion of R&D a year, and its success depends frequently on collaboration between a wide range of government departments, and with research councils, university bodies, businesses, charities and international organisations. As we look at the fascinating world of R&D, we can also learn much for all types of cross-government collaboration and coordination.
R&D: Driving growth and solving key challenges
R&D is essential to finding solutions to major problems, from climate change to anti-microbial resistance. It contributes to human knowledge that opens up new frontiers, and it drives improved productivity and prosperity, including through creating high quality jobs. This is why the government’s 2017 Industrial Strategy highlights the importance of R&D for UK economic growth, and why the government has committed to R&D to improve healthcare and medicines. It’s also why a number of different departments fund areas of R&D.