Written question WQ85774

Maintaining a successful and competitive research community in Wales continues to be a high priority for this government. In 2021/22 we provided additional funding of £10.5m for research to be distributed as additional QR funding and £2m to support further investment in the Wales Innovation Network.

The increases in funding we have been able to implement in recent years arising from the Diamond Review have enabled HEFCW to re-introduce innovation and engagement funding and maintain levels of QR funding. In particular, the allocation of £7.5m research and innovation funding provided in 2019 enabled HEFCW to bring forward its plans to reintroduce support for innovation and knowledge transfer.

It is a matter for the Council to determine how it distributes the funding allocated to it by the Welsh Government, including the level of funding allocated for research, innovation and engagement. In 2021/22 it allocated £15m to its Research Wales Innovation Fund and more than £81m for QR.

HEFCW have been remitted to continue working with officials to explore how a more strategic approach to the allocation of research funding can be developed to help increase competitive grant capture in the Welsh research system and build on the early success of the WIN. In line with its commitment to review the RWIF after three years, HEFCW is currently consulting on the allocation methodology and requirements for its RWIF for the period 2023/24 to 2025/26. The review will consider how RWIF can be best positioned to achieve WG and HEFCW ambitions on innovation and engagement. HEFCW have also consulted on a new research funding method.