The Department-wide evidence and research strategy covers a whole range of economic, technological, social and environmental factors. Through this strategy, we are striving for a more integrated evidence base, acknowledging all sources of evidence - monitoring and data collection, analysis (of internal and information available elsewhere), policy evaluation and commissioned research - as well as ensuring quality by adopting best practice. This strategy sets out what we currently understand our evidence needs are for the next three years and beyond, as well as the areas and activities we plan to develop. The high-level strategy will be developed to assist 30-year planning and integration with medium-term and business planning.

• DfT and unit-level evidence and research strategies (PDF - 642 KB), January 2006
• Summary of the key comments received on the draft ERS, January 2006

Management of evidence and research funded by the Department is largely devolved to the policy units and agencies responsible for delivery of our objectives. The Departmental Strategy has been supplemented by more detailed Unit (and agency) strategies.

Research Contractors

DfT commissions research services from a very wide range of research contractors and particularly encourages SMEs to participate. In considering how best to prepare to bid to provide such services, the following information may be of assistance.

• Small Business Research Initiative