SFC s Strategic Plan: 2018 onwards; Focussing on research strategy and innovation strategy

Transcription

1 RKEC/18/01 Agenda item 7 29 January 2018 SFC s Strategic Plan: 2018 onwards; Focussing on research strategy and innovation strategy This paper reviews current and developing statements of SFC s policies on support of Research and Innovation to inform discussion of contributions to the development of SFC s new Strategic Plan at the SFC Board meeting on 1 February Recommendations Agree key messages to be proposed for SFC s next Strategic Plan Financial implications No immediate direct financial implications SFC s new Strategic Plan will guide future investment decisions

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3 SFC s Strategic Plan: 2018 onwards; Focussing on research strategy and innovation strategy Purpose 1. This paper reviews current and developing statements of SFC s policies on support of Research and Innovation to inform discussion of contributions to the development of SFC s new Strategic Plan at the SFC Board meeting on 1 February Background 2. RKEC considered SFC s Innovation Strategy at its meeting on 14 September 2017 (RKEC/17/23). At the same meeting RKEC considered an Action Plan for SFC s International Strategy. 3. RKEC considered a draft Research Strategy: (RKEC/17/17) at its meeting on 1 June 2017, noting a summary of issues highlighted for inclusion in development of a future Research Strategy. This Strategy was published on 28 June RKEC s Research Excellence Working Group has had one further meeting to consider further development of the Research Strategy, on 27 November The SFC Board s initial discussion of the next Strategic Plan took place in December The Board identifies that SFC had an important role in the preservation of a world-leading research capacity for the long term and that a bold statement was needed to ensure that this was made clear in the new Strategic Plan, rather than the focus being solely on innovation. The SFC Board will consider an outline Strategic Plan at its meeting on 1 February Discussion at RKEC s meeting today will inform the contributions of RKEC members who sit on the SFC Board. 5. An early draft of the proposed structure for the Strategic Plan puts Research issues under the heading of Discover and Innovation issues under Create. A greater emphasis on inclusive economic growth is also included across the entire plan. 6. The Strategic Plan will describe SFC s ambition and vision. This will be put into context with the key policy and strategy changes taking place now - including the UK s departure from the European Union. The Strategic Board 7. The new Strategic Board 1 will develop a single strategic plan and the individual 1 Established as part of the Scottish Government s enterprise and skills review 1

4 agencies are to ensure that their own plans and activities are aligned with that single strategic plan. The timescale for that plan s development is not yet known. 8. Although that is likely to be a priority for the Strategic Board, since its first meeting took place on 13 December 2017, its own strategic plan is unlikely to be finalised until the middle of It is therefore possible that the content and process for development of SFC s new strategic plan could be changed as a result of the Strategic Board s work and thinking. On the other hand, the Strategic Board might decide that it wishes to develop its strategic plan over a longer time period than six months. 9. Until that process becomes clearer, SFC s Board has agreed to continue with the development of a new strategic plan for SFC. However, in doing so we will work closely with the other agencies and Scottish Government colleagues who are supporting the Strategic Board. We will also ensure that the plan is closely aligned with the Scottish Government s existing strategies for inclusive economic growth. Research Strategy: Key messages 10. Innovative, knowledge-driven societies depend upon the generation of new ideas, knowledge and understanding. Universities are the primary location of Scotland s basic research capacity which provides this foundation. SFC is responsible for making strong, creative and independent research possible and enabling its contribution to developing a secure and sustainable knowledge economy. 11. The pursuit of research excellence is fundamental to the Research Strategy. 12. Preparations for the future should be given equal weight to current activity. Training and developing the next generations of researchers and research leaders is essential. 13. We want Scotland s research strengths to have national and global reach, influence and benefit. We need Scottish researchers to be active participants in international research, making use of international networks and facilities. 14. Encouraging national collaboration enhances efficiency, creativity and competitive strength in addressing new opportunities. 15. Encouragement of diversity among the research base will drive novelty and quality. SFC 16. SFC should actively influence change and drive agendas. We will engage and 2

5 work in partnership with relevant bodies active in this arena. 17. Our core support for universities research provides the underpinning for other funders and for the next Grand Challenge, and should be prioritised. However we must retain our ability stimulate, lever and co-ordinate new developments. 18. SFC has a range of roles: a catalyst, co-ordinator and animator of research activity as well as funder; SFC support as a platform for leverage of other resources. Innovation Strategy: Key messages 19. Driving greater university/business collaboration, industry and inward investment through the Innovation Centre (IC) programme will continue to be a key priority. We will prioritise our investments in ICs in partnership with Scotland s enterprise agencies and others where the strategic case and economic potential is strong. 20. We will promote, sustain and measure impact from our colleges and universities on all aspects of Scotland s economy and society through fostering a culture of good practice and continuous improvement in knowledge exchange. For universities, this will be primarily achieved through the Universities Innovation Fund (UIF). 21. We will lead on making it easy for businesses to connect with our colleges and universities and grow long-term relationships. This will include supporting Interface and the innovation voucher programme. 22. Colleges have a renewed place in the innovation landscape. We will promote college/business collaboration through the SFC s College Innovation Fund. 23. We must have a clear strategy for linking Scotland s colleges and universities to opportunities arising from the UK Industrial Strategy - including leveraging our investments and working closely with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) organisational structures. 24. We will work with our partners to ensure Scotland has a cohesive enterprise and entrepreneurship support system to equip our entrepreneurs of the future with the right skills to grow companies and enterprises of scale. We will promote the role of colleges and universities within this and will encourage and facilitate collaboration where appropriate. 25. Our innovation strategy should have clear and defined linkages to teaching and research. 3

6 Equality and Diversity assessment 26. SFC s Strategic Plan will be subject to an Equality and Diversity Assessment. Financial implications 27. No immediate direct financial implications. SFC s new Strategic Plan will guide future investment decisions. Recommendations 28. The Committee is invited to: Agree key messages to be proposed for SFC s next Strategic Plan Publication 29. This paper will be published on SFC s website. Further information 30. Contact: Morag Campbell, , mcampbell@sfc.ac.uk Keith McDonald, , kmcdonald@sfc.ac.uk 4