Economy and enterprise
Stimulating collaboration between business, academia, and government in Scotland.
The RSE’s economy and enterprise activity will address three priorities over the next five years:
- Increasing economic efficiency via faster, more sustainable growth and overall incomes in Scotland.
- Enhancing equity by reducing inequitable distribution of incomes and employment, by geographical area, age group, ethnicity, gender, and other relevant categories.
- A more environmentally sustainable economy – by reducing carbon emissions, more sustainable energy production and consumption and other key issues as they arise.
The RSE will deliver to these priorities through a series of activities, including relaunching RSE’s successful Enterprise Fellowship scheme to consider developments in new business generation, as well as exploring a fund to boost the profile of diverse and under-represented new enterprises, and further work on taxation and public expenditure, considering equity among income groups.
On this page:
Policy advice
Enterprise Fellowships
News
Resources
Newsletter
Contact
Policy advice
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Industrial decarbonisation and skills in Scotland
Read MoreIndustrial decarbonisation presents Scotland with a major opportunity to reshape its economy for the future. To succeed, the transition must be: Strategically planned, socially inclusive, and economically sustainable
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The future of council tax in Scotland
Read MoreThe RSE has responsed to the consultation on the future of council tax in Scotland. It is vital that the Scottish Government and COSLA follow through on their commitment to reforming council tax.
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Policy in practice: How Scotland can get it right
Read MoreThe Policy in practice: How Scotland can get it right report brings together the work of three RSE-convened workgroups focused on the economy, the environment, and social inclusion and cohesion. It looks not only at what Scotland might choose to prioritise, but also at how policy can be done differently – how decisions are made, how trade-offs are handled, and how people can be more meaningfully involved in shaping change
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Research-policy exchange in Scotland
Read MoreThis report introduces a framework for the motivations behind research‑policy exchange and for designing structures that support polciymaking.
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Funding of tertiary education in Scotland report
Read MoreThis report captures insights from a conference, providing policymakers with a resource as they navigate the choices that will shape the system’s long-term potential.
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Public sector productivity mapping the metrics
Read MoreDrawing on expert insights from the Office for National Statistics and the Scottish Leaders Forum, the report examines the challenges of developing meaningful metrics, the impact of regional differences, and how better data can drive more effective public service reform.
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Review of the UK EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement Inquiry
Read MoreThe RSE responds to the inquiry into the trading relationship between the EU and UK. This submission will focus on issues relating to AI.
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Productivity – the micro dimension
Read MoreWith key partners like Prosper and leading experts, we’ve been asking why has productivity stalled and what can we do about it – at the business and governmental level.
Enterprise Fellowships
Since being established in 1997, the RSE Enterprise Fellowship scheme has supported more than 200 researchers to develop and launch new businesses, with companies formed across a wide range of fields – from tidal energy generation and safety systems for the oil and gas industry, to insect repellents and communication solutions for sufferers from Alzheimer’s disease.
Enterprise Fellowship Awards are specifically designed to support academic researchers in becoming outstanding entrepreneurs. Enterprise Fellows get access to the most up-to-date training in entrepreneurial skills, delivered to the highest standard of international excellence by individuals who have a proven track record of commercial success. Awardees are further supported to establish and grow their businesses via one year’s salary and business development funding to cover costs associated with attending conferences and trade shows.
An evaluation and economic impact assessment was carried out by economic consultancy BiGGAR Economics in 2019, it found that the programme:
- £170m to annual global gross value added (GVA)
- 3,000 jobs have been created
- 200 businesses created
In August 2026 the Enterprise Fellowship Scheme relaunched. Applications are open until 12 October 2026. Find out more.
Resources
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Sandy Begbie puts a case forward for why competitive taxes are key to growing Scotland’s economy and funding public services.
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While cutting spending or raising taxes remain options, long-term prosperity depends on economic growth. Delivering this will require investment, skills development, and support for high-value industries to ensure more inclusive and sustainable living standards.
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A conversation on Scotland’s upcoming election and how the new Parliament can build a future where everyone can thrive.
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Who wins and who loses when we decide how Scotland’s land is used?
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Contact us
For more information regarding the economy and enterprise programme, please contact the Policy Advice team on:
Other RSE programmes you might be interested in
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Policy advice
Read MoreOur knowledge provides independent and authoritative evidence to help shape public policy decisions and legislation.
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International
Read MoreWe promote Scotland’s international reputation in research, innovation and culture through our events, partnerships and publications.







