Policy Note Urges Shift to Outcome-Based Research Funding
A new HEPI Policy Note explores the capabilities required for "purposeful public research investment," arguing for a shift from tracking inputs to measuring outcomes. This aligns with a broader trend across European funding bodies to design grant systems and reporting dashboards that better support the tracking of narrative impact. The goal is to move beyond simple compliance to demonstrate the real-world value of funded research.
- The HEPI Policy Note was authored by Sarah Chaytor and Grace Gottlieb, both specialists in research impact at University College London (UCL). Their argument centers on building foundational capabilities within the research sector to maximize the societal and economic impact of public funding. - This policy shift aligns with broader European trends; for instance, the Horizon Europe framework program utilizes "Key Impact Pathways" to monitor the influence of EU-funded research beyond traditional academic metrics, focusing on contributions to policy, the economy, and society. - A key criticism of traditional, input-focused funding models is that they often lead to fragmented efforts and can fail to support the large-scale, interdisciplinary projects needed to tackle complex societal challenges. The new approach advocates for funding larger, programmatic initiatives with clear, outcome-oriented goals. - The UK's Research Excellence Framework (REF) serves as a case study in using narrative case studies to assess research impact, attempting to capture the complexity and variation of real-world influence beyond simple quantitative metrics. - In the public sector, the application of service design principles is increasingly used to improve the user experience of government services, including grant application processes. This involves mapping the entire user journey to identify and remove barriers for applicants. - The EU's Web Accessibility Directive mandates that public sector websites and applications, including funding portals, adhere to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards to ensure they are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users. - Artificial intelligence is being adopted by public funding bodies to streamline grant management by automating tasks like eligibility screening, compliance checks, and identifying trends in successful applications, which can help refine funding strategies. - Several GovTech initiatives across Europe, such as GovTech Connect, are fostering collaboration between public authorities and innovative startups to develop new digital solutions for public services, including more accessible and efficient grant management systems.
