Establishing ARIA: A New Era for Research

This chapter examines the formation of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) and its goal to operate independently from traditional government procurement rules. It draws lessons from the COVID-19 response to advocate for a nimble organizational structure while addressing the political context of its establishment amid Brexit chaos. Emphasizing innovation over bureaucratic processes, the chapter defines ARIA's unique governance model and critiques traditional success metrics in favor of a long-term perspective on research funding.