Department for the Economy & Transport

A4B Applications ~the Strategic Context

22 January 200822 January 2008Swansea - Technium DigitalSwansea - Technium Digital

Richard RossingtonHead of Science, Innovation & Enterprise Policy

Policy context

• One Wales – main agenda for government– Has the main economic ambitions, but headline in nature– National Institute of Health Research / National Science Academy /

National Research Centres

• Commercialisation of research in/from HEIs is key Ministerial priority – Statement in Plenary of 24 June 2008

• “R&D and the commercialisation of R&D = #1 Priority”• Sectoral approach – based on Ministerial Advisory Group view• increase R&D based in Wales, esp. business if possible• move to a higher value added economy

• Independent Commercialisation Review (Gibson) 2007

• A Science Policy for Wales 2006 –First Minister lead• Wales Spatial Plan –2008 Update - Swansea & SW aspects

The past

2003 2007 Wales for Innovation

Sectoral approach

Core or enabling sectors:• Energy• Environmental management• Telecommunications and ICTStrategically important sectors, • Bioscience• Health• Financial services/ products and professional services• Creative Industries• Automotive• AerospaceEconomically important sectors, • Construction• Food• Defence• Retail• Leisure and tourism

Policy context – New Business Model & Structural Funds

• New political environment with a policy objective to combine and simplify support to external organisations - hence A4B , FSB, SIF

• In order to secure Ministerial support for funding nowadays need always to demonstrate additional benefit to Wales and incorporate current and emerging UK and Welsh policy

• Project by project approach not an option for WAG & Partners• Availability of Convergence funding from EU gives unique opportunity

to rationalise and improve support for the future• Structural Funds =

– Fewer, larger projects– Focus is business and the economy– Focus is also Innovation and R&D in pursuit of Lisbon goals –but

with a commercial outcome– Collaborative arrangements desirable– Clear ambition to fund science policy activities, especially under

Convergence - i.e. under the three key priority areas and otherwise

EU & UK Policy context

2000 EU Lisbon Agenda was set out + updates 2003-45.2004 UK Government - Science & Innovation 10 Year Framework published = including Wales!10.2004 Technology Strategy Board formed = including Wales – now Arms-length!

TSB sets grand challenge areas and puts out calls in strategically important technologies and areas of activity (creative industries) - main route for UK Innovation funding now + KTPs + KTNs +…

2007 EU 7th Framework Programme – note close correlation with DE&T Key Sectors!3.2008 – Innovation Nation White Paper (partially includes Wales)

Strategy & policy documents - websites

www.wales.gov.uk / www.cymru.gov.ukOne Wales http://wales.gov.uk/about/strategy/publications/onewales/?lang=en

A Science Policy for Waleshttp://wales.gov.uk/about/strategy/publications/business/science2006/?lang=en

Business Supporthttp://www.business-support-wales.gov.uk/

People, Places, Futures – the Wales Spatial Plan Updatehttp://wales.gov.uk/location/spatial/documents/wsp2008update/;jsessionid=yK2JJx5J26Qffyxlhlcc9MlZjHd5srQXBp3rJ1FrgTfp3RRmVKSW!-1335101357?lang=en

andhttp://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=27263

Strategy & policy documents – websites 2

www.wales.gov.uk / www.cymru.gov.uk

Deputy First Minister’s Statement of 24.6.08 http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-chamber/bus-chamber-third-assembly-rop.htm?act=dis&id=90231&ds=6/2008#3

Innovation Nation – DIUS White paper http://www.dius.gov.uk/publications/ScienceInnovation.pdfTechnology Strategy Boardhttp://www.innovateuk.org/7th Framework Programmehttp://www.berr.gov.uk/dius/science/int/euro-programmes/fp7/page8390.htmlUK Government Science & Innovation Frameworkhttp://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ent_sciinnov_index.htm

Department for the Economy & Transport

A4B Applications ~the Strategic Context

Questions?Questions?

Richard RossingtonHead of Science, Innovation & Enterprise Policy