Main Research Providers
The Scottish Government Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate (RERAD) funds a wide range of agricultural, biological and environmental research. The main programme of research amounts to approximately £45m each year and is managed on behalf of the Scottish Government by RERAD. The research funded is mainly strategic and applied work; basic research, which forms a maximum of 10% of the portfolio, is supported only where relevant to policy needs.
RERAD-funded research is conducted primarily through its Main Research Providers (MRPs). They also compete for funding from other sources in the public and private sectors. They are companies limited by guarantee governed by independently appointed Boards. Over 85% of the research RERAD supports is conducted at its MRPs.
Please note that you will leave the Scottish Government web site when using the following links, and that the Scottish Government and its staff are not responsible for content external to this web site. 
The MRP's are as follows:
Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS)
BioSS provides support and research on mathematics and statistics to the other SEERAD research organisations.
Macaulay Land Use Research Institute
The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute carries out research to meet the needs of sustainable rural development and environmental management in Scotland and similar areas worldwide.
Moredun Research Institute
The Moredun Research Institute carries out research on diseases of livestock with a particular focus on small ruminants.
Rowett Research Institute
The Rowett Research Institute carries out research on how nutrition can prevent disease, improve human and animal health and enhance the quality of food production in agriculture.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The role and status of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is distinct. It is a Non- Departmental Public Body and its functions are defined by the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 including research, education, collections and public access. Its Trustees are appointed by Scottish Ministers. Support for its research activities is provided as part of its grant-in-aid. Its mission is to explore and explain the world of plants. There are also 3 other specialised Gardens situated around Scotland, which provide a range of climatic and soil conditions, these are: Benmore; Dawyck and Logan Botanic Gardens.
Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC)
SAC carries out research to meet the needs of the land based industries focusing on sustainable crop and livestock systems, animal health and welfare, economics, socio-economics and the environment. SAC also provides education to diploma, degree and post-graduate levels and a wide range of other training. SEERAD Science and Research Group fund education activities and provide funding for 'public good' advice commissioned by SEERAD. SAC is a company, limited by guarantee with a Board of Directors.
Scottish Crop Research Institute
The Scottish Crop Research Institute is a major centre for research on agricultural, horticultural and industrial crops, in particular, potatoes, barley and soft fruit.