Focused Research Organisations in the UK
A study of how Focused Research Organisations, a new kind of non-profit for ambitious science, are taking root in the UK.
- Status
- Completed
- Dates
- 2026 – 2026
- Partners
- Convergent Research
- Funder
- Innovation & Research Caucus (Flex Fund) · £19,964
The question
Some scientific projects are too big for an academic lab, need more coordination than a loose consortium, and are not profitable enough for a start-up. Focused Research Organisations (FROs) are non-profits designed for that gap. They are established in the US but only just emerging in the UK. The project asks what helps or hinders their early growth, and whether UK research funders’ rules help or hold them back.
What we are doing
Working with Convergent Research, the team followed the first UK cohort of FROs as they launched, interviewing founders, Convergent staff in the UK and US, ARIA, UKRI and Innovate UK. It analysed materials from Convergent UK’s founder programme and compared the UK with Convergent Research’s portfolio of FROs in the US.
Findings were tested with policy and funding stakeholders at a workshop.
Intended impact
Evidence and practical recommendations for UK research funders on supporting new organisational models for bold, mission-driven science.
Project team
Dr Gemma MilnePrincipal investigator
Professor Jillian GordonSenior academic adviser