This paper argues that the UK Research Councils should participate in the SBRI in order to drive economic growth.

Key findings:

• The research tools industry is the kind of industry we need to support if we are to rebuild a competitive UK manufacturing sector.
• When scientists act as ‘lead customers’ – by defining or funding the development of the products they need – they give their suppliers the opportunity to create new products that can be sold internationally.
• The UK Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) is an innovation-based procurement programme designed to help public sector bodies to act as ‘innovative customers.’
• By participating in the SBRI, the UK Research Councils could promote the research tools industry, thereby making a significant contribution both to UK exports and the economic recovery. 

Many in research-intensive universities have lobbied for a more effective approach to the UK Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI). This paper proposes a very practical way in which we could be better engaged both as customers for new scientific products and research tools, and as potential innovators in shaping those products.

Author:
David Connell