Department for Education: areas of research interest · first published 16 May 2018
This document sets out the Department for Education's (DfE's) priority topics for new research and evidence. It is aimed at the external research community — including academic institutions, research consultancies, and specialist small firms — to help them understand where DfE is most likely to commission or welcome research proposals. It also explains DfE's approach to publishing research and statistics, and how researchers can access DfE data. The document does not itself award contracts or set procurement rules; it is a signal of intent and commissioning appetite. Small businesses in the education research, data analytics, or evaluation space should use it to align their offer with DfE's stated priorities ahead of future tenders.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
For small research, evaluation, or data-analytics firms, this document is a directional map: DfE is telling the market what it wants to buy before procurements are launched. SMEs that can credibly address DfE's named research priorities — and that understand how to access DfE data — are better placed to win future commissions. However, because we only have the summary text and not the full PDF, the specific research themes cannot be confirmed here; SMEs should read the full document to identify the precise topic areas most relevant to their expertise.
1. Download and read the full DfE Areas of Research Interest PDF (available on GOV.UK) to identify the specific priority topics, then map your firm's existing capabilities or case studies directly to those themes in any future DfE bid or expression of interest.
SMEs in education research, evaluation, or data analytics — DfE publishes this document precisely to signal commissioning intent to the external research community — aligning your pitch to named priorities gives you a material advantage when tenders are launched.
2. Familiarise yourself with DfE's data-access processes (described in the document) so you can credibly describe your data-handling approach in proposals — including any experience with administrative education datasets.
SMEs seeking DfE research contracts — The document explicitly covers 'how to access data for the purposes of research', indicating DfE expects research suppliers to engage with its data infrastructure.
3. Monitor DfE's research publications page and Find a Tender Service (FTS) / Contracts Finder for procurement opportunities that reference the priority themes named in this document, and prepare a short capability statement tailored to DfE's research agenda.
SMEs new to DfE commissioning — Areas of Research Interest documents are pre-market signals; being ready with a relevant capability statement shortens your response time when a live opportunity appears.
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
The document's purpose is to raise awareness among the external research community of DfE's main research priorities. (External research community engaging with DfE.)
“The purpose of this document is to raise awareness among the external research community of the main DfE research priorities.”
The document covers DfE's approach to publishing research and statistics, and how to access data for research purposes. (External researchers and research suppliers interested in DfE-funded or DfE-relevant work.)
“DfE's approach to publishing research and statistics • how to access data for the purposes of research”
This briefing is enkii's interpretation of the official document — the official text always governs.
Source document © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0 via the GOV.UK Content API. enkii tracks every Procurement Policy Note and briefs changes the day they land — see all briefings.