Research and analysis

Catapult network review 2021: how the UK’s Catapults can strengthen research and development capacity

A review of how the UK’s Catapults can strengthen research and development capacity, improve productivity and contribute to greater prosperity across the UK.

From:
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Published
6 April 2021
Last updated
14 September 2023 — See all updates

Documents

Catapult Network Review: how the UK’s Catapults can strengthen research and development capacity

Ref: BEIS research paper number: 2021/013

PDF, 501 KB, 35 pages

Catapult Network Review: 2023 update

PDF, 298 KB, 23 pages

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Details

Catapults are not-for-profit organisations designed to support innovation and bridge the gap between research and industry.

The recommendations in this review aim to ensure the 9 Catapult continue to deliver vital support to UK innovation, sectors and industries. They focus on 4 areas:

  • the role of Catapults in the innovation ecosystem
  • governance and evaluation
  • Catapult collaboration and competition
  • what next for the Catapult network:
    • levelling up
    • skills
    • equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
    • expanding the network

Catapult Network Review: 2023 update

This is an update on developments since the Catapult Network Review April 2021. It details the activity and achievements of the Catapults, Innovate UK, and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) against each of the 2021 Review’s recommendations. It also showcases how Catapults deliver support to UK Innovation, their sectors, and associated industries.

Key progress includes:

  • Innovate UK’s review of Catapults’ access to funding and changes made to allow them to apply for eligibility for Research Council funding opportunities on the same basis as Independent Research Organisations and Public Sector Research Establishments;
  • Catapults’ publication of an equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) Charter; and
  • DSIT’ published guidance on how government departments can work with Catapults to benefit from their sector expertise and knowledge.
Published 6 April 2021
Last updated 14 September 2023 + show all updates

  1. Catapult Network Review 2023 update published.

  2. First published.