The action points relating to the 3 Strategic Objectives are listed here for ease of reference. These are followed by a table outlining the initial timetable for taking forward these actions. It shows, in particular, those which require further analysis or consideration before final decisions are made and full implementation plans drawn up, and also shows the targets and key success indicators for the Strategy aspirations.
Target | Timetable of Activities | Action Points | Success Indicators |
By 2010: improve quality and relevance of scientific research procured by SEERAD Science and Research Group. | Programmes of research and rolling grant funding allocations in place by April 2006. Programme work package specifications will be issued in January 2005. Proposals will be invited by May 2005. Proposals will be subjected to peer review to ensure they align with SEERAD's needs for relevance and quality by October 2005.
Identify additional work packages for competitive tender by 2009. | Research will be commissioned as Programmes which will have high level policy objectives as the drivers. (Action Point 6) SEERAD Science and Research Group will use peer review systems for advice on the quality and value of research it funds. (Action Point 9) Research will be funded through grants for rolling Programmes. (Action Point 20) An increasing proportion of SEERAD Science and Research Group funds will be subject to competition. (Action point 7) | Programmes commissioned to timetable. Assessment indicates improved quality and relevance over ROAE 2003. |
By 2010: the proportion of SEERAD Science and Research Group funded research which is classified as policy relevant will increase to at least 75% of the total. | Programme management will involve dialogue with policy customers and related client groups on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance targets are met. | Programmes funded by SEERAD Science and Research Group will demonstrate increasing and clear relevance to Scottish Executive policy priorities. (Action Point 1) The proportion of research funded by SEERAD Science and Research Group classified as policy relevant will increase. (Action Point 2) Work currently undertaken by the Main Research Providers which is no longer required will be identified. (Action Point 5) SEERAD Science and Research Group will, on a continuing basis, identify those parts of its Research Programme which require to be conducted in an Institute setting. (Action point 16) | Achievement of target. |
By 2010: basic research will be less than 10% of the total Programme. | Classification of the Research Programmes into the 'Frascati' categories is carried out annually. | SEERAD Science and Research Group will be unlikely to support basic research but will continue to fund strategic underpinning research of policy relevance. (Action Point 4) The proportion of applied research (according to Frascati manual definitions) will increase. (Action Point 3) | Achievement of target. |
By April 2005: set up the Strategic Advisory Panel. | Appointments will be made in accordance with CPAS guidance. Review of Strategic Advisory Panel effectiveness carried out by 2009. | SEERAD Science and Research Group will set up a Strategic Advisory Panel to advise on matters of research strategy and policy. (Action Point 10) | The Strategic Advisory Panel will publish an agreed work plan by end 2005. The Panel will report on its activities annually from September 2005. |
By April 2006: publish system for assessment of SEERAD Research Programmes and providers with a view to implementation from 2008. | Review and develop assessment process to ensure it takes full account of relevance, quality, and value and is consistent with UK standards. | SEERAD Science and Research Group will develop a system for assessment of Research Programmes and providers which takes full account of relevance, quality and value. (Action point 8) | Assessment system meets accepted UK standards. |
By 2010: improve knowledge transfer activities across all research activities. | Identify knowledge transfer activities in Programmes. | A separate stream of funding for knowledge transfer activities will be identified within each Programme. (Action Point 12) Appropriate mechanisms for commercialisation of the research outputs from the SEERAD Science and Research Group research portfolio will be encouraged. (Action Point 11) | Assessment indicates improved knowledge transfer activity over ROAE 2003. |
By September 2005: publish end-user engagement and publicity strategies. | Workable strategy for engagement at the Programme (strategic) level will be developed in discussions with principal end-users. This will take into account end-user strategies of the MRPs to avoid duplication. | The Strategic Advisory Panel will be asked for guidance on strategic level end-user engagement. (Action Point 14) The MRPs will be asked to develop strategies for end-user engagement. (Action Point 13) SEERAD Science and Research Group will continue to look for opportunities to publicise and disseminate the work of the Research Programme to as wide a public audience as possible. (Action Point 15) | Assessment indicates improved level of end-user engagement over ROAE 2003. |
By 2010: facilitate greater intellectual and financial critical mass among the MRPs. | Consultancy study of re-organisation options for MRPs to be completed by February 2005. Action plan to be developed in light of study conclusions. Introduce centres of excellence funding stream. Initial call for proposals in autumn 2005. Criteria for use of development funding published in April 2005. | Further consultancy studies will examine the issues involved in forming long term relationships between Universities and SEERAD Science and Research Group's MRPs and the scope and potential for reorganisation and integration of the MRPs to support common activities. (Action Point 17) SEERAD Science and Research Group will support the deepening of relations between its MRPs and Universities. (Action Point 18) A development funding stream will be introduced. (Action Point 21) | Increased level of formalised Strategic Alliance between MRPs and between them and Higher Education sector which demonstrate improvement in intellectual critical mass and measurable efficiency gains. |
By April 2010: increase the proportion of SEERAD Programmes which align with Programmes of other funders and the level of joint funding. | Formal systems for joint working with other funders in place through revision and development of Memoranda of Understanding with other funders. | SEERAD Science and Research Group will look for opportunities to fund jointly with other relevant research funders at the Project, Programme and Initiative level. These will mainly involve Defra, BBSRC, SHEFC and NERC, but interactions with other relevant funders will be explored. (Action Point 19) | Increases in levels of joint funding identified in annual reports. |