ARMA publishes findings of International Research Due Diligence report

“It is estimated that UK Research Offices undertake between 4,500 and 6,000 due diligence checks each year, costing the sector over £1m p.a. and potentially as much as £3.4m p.a., with considerable scope for these costs to be reduced if a clearing house was in place.”

In its report, Due Diligence in International Research – Options for Improved Efficiency, Equity and Quality, published today, ARMA recommends that HE Sector agencies should collaborate to establish a Due Diligence Clearing House and National Service in support of Due Diligence for International Research.  Further, it suggests that this should be grant funded by Research England and UKRI in partnership with a broader consortium of UK research funders and government departments, with a long-term sustainable funding model established thereafter.

This report arose from a project supported by Research England and UKRI to address the key issues experienced by UK research organisations (ROs) and their international partners when undertaking due diligence.

The project set out to deliver a core questionnaire and associated guidance for the due diligence process;  a set of recommendations regarding the establishment of a ‘clearing house’ for due diligence; and a set of recommendations regarding the establishment of a ‘national service for due diligence in UK funded research projects and partnerships’

Alongside these three main project deliverables, the project team considered the costs of undertaking due diligence using current RO approaches, and the anticipated costs/savings associated with implementing a clearing house and national service.

6 April 2021