Evaluation of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund

This report presents findings of the fund-level process evaluation of the ISCF. The process evaluation has focused on assessing the processes, drivers and evidence underpinning the design and delivery of the fund and its constituent Challenges across the three commissioning waves. The evaluation employed a mixed methods approach to data collection including interviews, a review of Challenge-level process evaluation reports, a review of secondary data and documentation, case studies and workshops. The process evaluation has been structured around three high-level evaluation themes: Strategy and set-up of the ISCF: This theme examines the design and set-up of the ISCF with a view to considering how these processes have supported the fund's goals. Topics covered under this theme include Challenge selection, Challenge design and the role of Challenge Directors. Delivery of the ISCF: This theme focuses on how effectively and efficiently delivery mechanisms have supported the fund’s goals. Topics covered under this theme include governance and fund management, fund processes (e.g. call, application and monitoring), coherence and coordination, and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Stakeholder engagement in the ISCF: This cross-cutting theme reflects on how the ISCF has engaged with stakeholders across the different stages of fund set-up and delivery, while also considering the ongoing processes of engaging stakeholders in Challenge outcomes.