Technopolis, in partnership with BOP Consulting, were commissioned to conduct a process and impact of the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s (AHRC) Follow on Funding (FoF) scheme. The scheme was launched in 2010 to support Arts and Humanities (A&H) researchers capitalise on the sometimes-unforeseen impact of their grants. The FoF scheme sits within a funding environment in which there is an increasing desire to generate ‘impact’ (beyond academic impact) from publicly funded researchers. 

Key findings from the evaluation are: 

• FoF has leveraged £193m in further funding, higher than comparator schemes 
• The most prevalent types of outcomes emerging from grants include knowledge exchange, engagement activities and capacity building 
• FoF grants have also contributed to wider impacts, including REF Impact Case Studies 
• There is limited evidence of commercialisation outcomes. A&H research can create real economic value – but often in indirect or long-term ways 
• There are still barriers to further impact from FoF funding, including the short timescales for projects, a limit of the funding and wider sustainability of the sector 
• There are also barriers to commercialisation that may require different support, including a lack of market for some A&H researchers and a business skills gap amongst researchers 

Ultimately, the evaluation developed a series of recommendations for the future of FoF and mechanisms to support further impact.  

Kalle Nielsen
Senior Consultant

Cristina Rosemberg Montes
Managing Partner

Rita Cimatti
Consultant

Laura Sutinen
Consultant

Tia-J’Nae Murray
Analyst

Aphra Murray
Senior Consultant

Beth Whittaker
Policy Analyst