Recommendation 16

UKRI is working to address significant limitations in its data systems, which restrict its ability to efficiently manage its grant spending in a strategic way. To effectively manage R&I funding, it is vital to know what is being funded across a portfolio, and against important research objectives, so that UKRI can take informed decisions such as whether projects need to be scaled up or stopped.33 Better visibility on where UKRI invests its money can also help UK trade envoys to promote opportunities for overseas investors to invest in R&I in the UK.34 Professor Boyle told us how important it is to identify geographical clusters, at which to target investment in R&I, such as the semiconductor industry in south Wales. Professor Boyle said that such clusters may already receive large amounts of innovation funding, but that such investments are not sufficiently joined-up. 35