ESRC – P2R: Increasing UK Policymaker Engagement With Research

Funding to develop and expand UK-wide policy to research (P2R) infrastructure, facilitating direct connections between public and civil servants and research organisations. 

Policy to Research (P2R) enables direct connections between public and civil servants and research organisations. P2R is part of a wider approach to policy engagement that aims to build trusted relationships between public and civil servants and academic researchers in order to support the creation of effective evidence-informed public policy.

This 42-month Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) investment in a P2R infrastructure will enable policymakers to enhance their transferable skills and understanding of research, evidence and data by engaging in relevant activities in an academic setting. The infrastructure will increase the number and range of opportunities for UK public and civil servants, at all career stages, to engage with the UK research community through various formats, such as professional development, training, immersive workshops, placements, and networking.

Through these P2R opportunities, public and civil servants from central, devolved or regional, and local government, as well as the UK parliaments, will strengthen their skills and awareness in accessing and applying research evidence and insights in policy development.

Applications to this funding must provide the opportunity for public and civil servants to build substantive relationships with the research community while developing their scientific skills and ability to apply research insights. This should be delivered through various formats, such as professional development, training, immersive workshops, placements, and networking. P2R opportunities should be made available to a wide range of public and civil servants across government departments, the devolved administrations and local government, and the UK Parliaments. The infrastructure should also cater for public and civil servants at different career stages (senior, mid-level and junior).

The successful applicant team will undertake an initial six-month scoping stage, followed by a gateway review. During the six-month scoping stage, the team will be expected to work with ESRC and government partners (including the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) to co-design and refine its planned approach to delivering the infrastructure over the following three years.