Research Strategy
The current strategy for environmental, biological and agricultural research was published in January 2005, and runs to 2010.
This brought about a significant change in the way Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate (RERAD) commissioned its research from the Main Research Providers (MRPs). From April 2006, RERAD moved to funding programmes of research via rolling grants rather than providing grant-in-aid to sponsor institutes to carry out an agreed set of projects.
A Programme Approach to funding research was adopted, focusing on areas of policy priority and the needs of end users. The Programmes of research have three overarching, cross-cutting themes (CCT) which provide the strategic context for the overall research effort. These key issues are addressed by research in four main research Programmes which were started in April 2006.
An independent expert review of the research, the Mid Programme Review is taking place in Autumn 2008.