Science and innovation
Science and innovation strategy and policy
The government's strategic approach.
The Security and Counter-Terrorism Science and Innovation Strategy sets out our approach to ensuring that science and innovation are fully harnessed to strengthen the UK’s ability to combat terrorism. We will do this in four ways:
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Expanding a cross-departmental analytical approach to identifying Government’s research priorities
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Horizon-scanning for future threats and new scientific developments and inventions to counter such threats
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Working more effectively with business and academia to ensure that research is delivered and exploited through the cultivation of a strong and innovative counter-terrorism research market
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Collaborating with international partners, allowing increased sharing of knowledge and technology
The Counter-Terrorism Science and Innovation Programme
A key way in which we implement this strategic approach is through the cross-departmental Counter-Terrorism Science & Innovation Programme. This programme aims to identify, deliver and exploit cross-Government research priorities to strengthen the UK’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
Working with International Partners
Sharing experience and solutions with our international partners is an important approach to strengthening the UK’s ability to combat terrorism. A number of valuable forms of cooperation have been developed enabling us to share knowledge and working together to tackle a range of counter-terrorism related science and innovation challenges.
The European Security Research Programme
While prime responsibility for protection of citizens remains with the individual Member States, we face a common threat from international terrorism which threatens our democratic values and operates across borders, and so it is desirable for EU Member States to co-ordinate their activities and share information.
As part of this engagement, the Home Office has lead responsbility for coordinating the UK Government's involvement with European security research. This work is currently focused on working with the Commission and other Member States to develop proposals for security research to be conducted as part of the 7th European Commission Framework Programme for Research (FP7) (new window) (2007-2013).
More information about FP7 and the Security Theme in particular can be found on the DTI FP7 website (new window). The UK has appointed a National Contact Point (NCP) to provide advice and support to those bidding into the Security Programme. The NCP can be contacted at securityNCP@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
