What DFID want

DFID expects Research Programme Consortia (RPCs) to develop an Uptake Strategy that is agreed by all programme collaborators during the Inception Phase. The design of this strategy and operational plans should be led by a dedicated Communications Manager, with the support of the RPC CEO and Directo.

The Uptake Strategy should assess the policy, communication, and research/innovation environments, and include an assessment of the assumptions and risks that would undermine implementation of the Strategy. A communications baseline should be developed within the first six months, to show what is the awareness, knowledge and use of the relevant RPC’s proposed research topic/hypothesis; what are the relevant policy narratives; what are the communications and policy influence skills of the team, etc. This will make it possible to track and attribute progress made during the research programme.