The Research and Development Missions Accelerator Programme (R&D MAP) supports research and innovation that aligns with the UK government’s five national missions. It focuses on new ideas that can improve lives, strengthen public services and support the economy.
Scope
The programme addresses research and innovation challenges across the UK government’s five mission areas:
- kickstart economic growth
- build an NHS fit for the future
- make Britain a clean energy superpower
- safer streets
- break down barriers to opportunity
Each research and innovation challenge sets clear and measurable targets with specific deadlines for real-world impact. This helps to ensure research and innovation deliver tangible results that benefit people across the UK.
It supports both projects with strong evidence of impact and more experimental work where success could lead to significant benefits. Projects that are not delivering are expected to stop early so funding can be used elsewhere.
What we’re doing
The programme is delivered by UKRI in partnership with relevant government departments.
Research and innovation challenges
It has launched targeted challenges that bring together researchers, businesses, and public services to develop and test solutions.
Current challenges include:
- dementia diagnosis innovation (£5 million)
- crime mapping (£4 million)
- clean energy consumer flexibility (£4 million)
- children with special educational needs identification and support tools (£4 million)
There are also two research and innovation challenges for growth:
- industrialising and digitalising construction
- developing a UK infrastructure for creative content exchange
These two challenges share £4 million in funding.
More challenges will be announced.
Cross-sector collaboration
All funded projects involve collaboration across universities, research organisations, industry partners, and the third sector. This helps ensure solutions are developed with the people who will use them and can be adopted in real-world settings.
Turning research into practice
The programme funds activity that bridges the gap between research and real-world implementation, including:
- prototyping
- running pilot projects and real-world trials
- supporting organisations to scale innovations into practical use
Supporting the systems and skills needed
The programme also supports the system needed to make innovation work, such as data platforms, regulatory frameworks and innovation networks.
Strategic coordination
It works with other funders and government departments to plan activity together. This helps ensure complementary investment, avoid duplication and maximise impact.
Attracting investment
It is designed to attract private and public sector investment. This helps bring new ideas to market more quickly and increase the impact of taxpayer funding.