The Scottish Government is funding a programme of strategic scientific research (the Strategic Research Programme, SRP) through the Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS).

The programme runs from April 2016 to March 2021 and builds on previous five-year funding cycles for research supported by RESAS. The programme comprises three interlinked themes: ‘Natural Assets’, ‘Productive and Sustainable Land Management and Rural Economies’, and ‘Food, Health and Wellbeing’.

In addition to directly supporting more than £200 million of research over its lifetime, it is anticipated that the programme will provide a platform to attract and lever further follow-on public and private sector investment in research. The SRP will be delivered primarily through the six Main Research Providers (MRP’s) in the SEFARI collective: The James Hutton Institute, Moredun Research Institute, Scotland’s Rural College, The Rowett Institute, Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is in a unique position within SEFARI in being a major visitor attraction as well as a research institute. The Garden provides a venue for public engagement with science through events run by institutes in the SEFARI collective. An annual highlight of the programme is Edinburgh International Science Festival. We also work with the Scottish universities through the Beltane Public Engagement Network, and with local Edinburgh institutions such as NMS, RZSS and RSE. The John Hope Gateway Building provides a free platform for our partners in the research and environmental communities to engage with visitors and we welcome suggestions for the public programme.