Independent report

Appraisal methods for research and development spending

A report on how other nations appraise research and development (R&D) policies, and a potential framework for assessing R&D value for money.

• From: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
• Published: 4 November 2026

Documents

Research into appraisal methods for R&D spending: International case studies

HTML

Research into appraisal methods for R&D spending: International case studies

PDF, 1000 KB, 70 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alt.formats@dsit.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Research into appraisal methods for R&D spending. Strengthening value for money assessments for R&D policies

HTML

Research into appraisal methods for R&D spending: Strengthening Value for Money assessments for R&D policies

PDF, 701 KB, 22 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alt.formats@dsit.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

In December 2025, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) commissioned an SQW-led consortium to gather evidence on the appraisal of research and development (R&D) spending. This work was intended to inform DSIT’s response to Recommendation 4 of the Lord Willetts Review of the DSIT business case approvals process. DSIT has since been disbanded and this workstream has been absorbed into the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST).

The ‘International case studies’ paper describes how different countries approach the appraisal of R&D investments, looking in particular at public sector decision-making.

The ‘Strengthening value for money assessments for R&D policies’ report sets out a suggested value for money (VfM) framework for R&D policies. BIST may wish to consider this framework when developing supplementary guidance. It provides a structured approach to combining monetised, quantified and qualitative evidence in business cases, and to making a balanced judgement about the VfM of R&D proposals.