Research Strategy 2008 - 2012

Better use of knowledge, collaboration and capacity building key to increasing the impact of research

This document details the UK Department for International Development's (DFID) research strategy for the next five years. It aims to focus on six main subject areas - growth, sustainable agriculture, climate change, health, governance and future challenges and opportunities.

DFID's purpose in undertaking research is to make faster progress in fighting poverty and achieving the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). It aims to do this by producing new knowledge and technologies to tackle the most important development challenges, and to help ensure the developing world and wider development community make full use of this knowledge and technology. DFID intends to put equal effort into both these areas, so as to further strengthen the development environment. It will also coordinate national, regional and global research efforts, to strengthen decision-making and produce changes to quicken poverty reduction.

The overall research strategy aims to achieve results in the following areas:

new knowledge to help shape policy: producing cutting edge, relevant and usable research, to influence the important policy and planning decisions of partner governments, regional institutions and the wider development community
evidence and new research for better decision-making: improving the accessibility and use of development research to better inform decision-making
creating and using new technologies: helping to promote better returns on investment in technology and to fund locally-developed technologies particularly focussed on clean energy and water
capability to do and use research: improving research capability by supporting environments that encourage people to use research - improving researchers' skills and their access to information and resources.

DFID's research approach is based on the importance of securing reliable funding, joint North-South decision-making, access to global research networks and practical help to ensure research is of a high standard.

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Research Strategy 2008 - 2012