RDS awarded Independent Research Organisation status

As we settle into a new year, I’m pleased to share a piece of good news that reflects some of the great work and effort from our team in 2025. Research Data Scotland has now been awarded Independent Research Organisation status from UK Research Innovation (UKRI).     

Independent research organisations (IROs) are standalone organisations that are not affiliated with or funded by a Higher Education Provider. These organisations must demonstrate existing in-house capacity to carry out research that extends and enhances other research happening in the UK, and the capability and skills to independently undertake and lead a research programme.  

This new status qualifies RDS as an eligible organisation that can apply for UK research council funding.  

RDS is still a relatively small organisation, without the resources of a university or larger research institution. But we have been evolving over the past three years. This new IRO status reflects the space in which our organisation sits today — at the intersection between government, research, and not-for-profit.  

There is a growing call for data research in the UK to embrace this intersection. Stian Westlake, Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Executive Chair, reflects on this in his blog post on increasing institutional diversity in the social sciences. 

I’m excited to see how we can use this new opportunity to build on the partnership work we have already done as part of some UKRI funded projects, and what RDS can bring to the table as a lead partner on future applications.