GB-Swindon: UKRI-1172 Socio-economic Impact study for Manufacturing Research funded by EPSRC over the past 15 years

This is a Contract Award for UKRI-1172 Socio-economic Impact study for Manufacturing Research funded by EPSRC over the past 15 years

The study should focus on quantifying the economic impact from the manufacturing research funded by EPSRC (which is primarily low TRL level, basic/fundamental research) evidenced by a Return on Investment (ROI) figure, as well as document the wider and spill over benefits arising from the funded research alongside robust case studies of impact from the investments. The study should also aim to frame the evidence within the context of importance of manufacturing to the UK and globally. We are particularly interested in the study to evidence how the knowledge created through EPSRC funded research makes a difference in terms of providing competitive advantage, innovative products, knowledge flow to innovation for example through, Intellectual property, patents, links to users of the research (businesses and government bodies) etc. (The study is not expected to look at bibliometric analysis of publications or in-depth analysis of patents which are scopes of a different study running in parallel to this study). We expect both the studies to complement each other in terms of providing valuable evidence to EPSRC and as such where possible we can share information between the two studies.

The information gathered through this exercise will help EPSRC build the evidence base to support bids for future funding in this area and to highlight successes from past investments.

We strongly encourage bidders to have a team that understands the challenges of evaluating low TRL (Technology Readiness Level) research investments and to have the expertise to conduct the various analysis required to answer the breadth of the questions to uncover impacts from the investments. We do understand that this might involve partnership with organisations where specific expertise might lie. In such cases, we would expect the bid to identify the lead bidder, and to ensure programme and delivery structures to be such that there is a central point of contact and ownership to avoid multiple channels of communications and management. This is to ensure that the study runs smoothly and does not create unnecessary burden on EPSRC.

Completion date: Final completion December 2021; Critical interim deliverables May 2021

Additional information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.