The Research and Development Missions Accelerator Programme (R&D MAP) supports research and innovation that help solve some of the UK’s biggest challenges, focusing on new ideas that improve lives, strengthen public services and grow the economy.
R&D MAP represents £500 million of investment by 2030 and will aim to leverage £3 from industry, academia and the third sector for each £1 of public funding. It will fund the innovation, knowledge and technological development to solve some of the most pressing issues faced in the UK.
There are five mission areas:
- Breaking down barriers to opportunity
- Build an NHS fit for the future
- Kickstart economic growth
- Make Britain a clean energy superpower
- Safer Streets
The programme funds a portfolio of research and innovation challenges within each mission. Each challenge follows a five-phase model:
- problem identification by government departments
- creation of focused research and innovation challenges
- solution development with academia, industry and the third sector
- adoption and pull-through
- real-world impact
Principles
R&D MAP is driven by six principles:
- invest in targeted, impact-driven R&D activities with clear outcome objectives, stimulating collaboration between industry and academia
- generate outputs that fulfil public sector needs and meet commercial opportunities, evidenced through the associated pull-through plans
- leverage funding, both public and private, to support programme deliverables
- explore new commercial vehicles where needed, such as joint ventures, equity partnerships and licensing agreements, to best support the pull-through plans
- operate as a single portfolio, moving funding flexibly across challenges and, if required, missions to meet emerging opportunities
- apply a ‘fail fast’ mentality: projects no longer expected to achieve outcomes are stopped and funding is pivoted
How we will do it
There are three core components which apply to each challenge.
Problem statement
This defines how research and innovation can help solve high priority issues making sure it is grounded in a genuine need.
Challenge statements
Working with the relevant government department, UKRI translates the problem into a specific, time-bound and measurable statement of the outcome the challenge aims to achieve by 2030. This allows progress to be tracked and funding diverted if necessary.
Pull-through plan
The government department commits to how they will adopt, scale and implement successful solutions. Pull-through plans are regularly reviewed and provide a clear line from investment to public benefit.
Last updated: 24 July 2026