Summary
This policy report by Hart and Kearney (2017) examines the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) as a mechanism for catalysing innovation in the United States energy sector. The authors analyse ARPA-E's institutional design, funding strategies, and demonstrated capacity to accelerate technologies from early-stage research toward commercialisation. Although focused on energy systems broadly rather than agricultural innovation, the paper addresses governance and funding models potentially relevant to research infrastructure in food and farming.
UK applicability
The UK's research funding and innovation governance structures differ substantially from the US ARPA-E model, though the report's analysis of high-risk, mission-oriented research funding may inform UK innovation strategy discussions. Direct applicability to UK farming systems research is limited, as the paper addresses energy innovation rather than agricultural resilience or soil health.
Key measures
Institutional analysis of ARPA-E's portfolio, funding distribution, and innovation outcomes; assessment of programme effectiveness in energy technology development
Outcomes reported
The paper examines ARPA-E's institutional role, funding mechanisms, and track record in catalysing energy innovation across diverse technology areas. It reports on ARPA-E's strategic approach to bridging the gap between basic research and commercial deployment.
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