LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
The Scottish Government funds the biological science research base in Scotland through the Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate (RERAD).
Current Research Strategy
This funding currently relates to four Programmes of Research commissioned collectively and collaboratively from the Main Research Providers (MRPs) - Macaulay, Moredun, Rowett and Scottish Crop Research Institutes, the Scottish Agricultural College and the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
The structure under which this research was commissioned was laid out in the publication 'Strategic Research for SEERAD 2005-2010 - Environment, Biology and Agriculture'. For more information on this go to Research Strategy 2005-2010.
Future Research Strategy
Recent advances in science and the Scottish Government's new focus on 5 Strategic Objectives present both an opportunity and a need to consider a change in emphasis for the content of the research to be commissioned in the next Research Strategy.
In order to capture expert opinion on what priorities this next Research Strategy should include, the consultant, SNIFFER were appointed to engage with stakeholders, academics and Government policy makers. They did this through a series of face to face meetings, workshops and a website consultation. The final report from this review has now been published.
For a copy of the full report go to 'Initial Scoping Review of the High Level SNIFFER report on the Strategic Research Review 2007 - Strategic Themes for the next Scottish Government Rural, Environment and Marine Research Strategy: Final Report'