Introducing R4RI: a better way for you to evidence your contributions

We are introducing the Resume for Research and Innovation (R4RI), an inclusive, single format for CVs across UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

R4RI is a narrative CV designed to help you evidence a wider range of skills and experience when applying for funding from UKRI opportunities. The new CV format is part of a wider UKRI ambition to create a more inclusive and supportive research and innovation culture.

What is the R4RI format?

The R4RI is a content-rich alternative to the traditional CV. The four R4RI modules enable you to show the broad range of contributions you make to the research and innovation sector. The modules are flexible and allow you to provide context to explain the impact of your contributions.

The modules cover the following areas:

contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies, or knowledge
the development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships
contributions to the wider research and innovation community
contributions to broader research or innovation-users and audiences, and towards wider societal benefit.

When you can use the R4RI

To understand how the format could work, we have been piloting different narrative CV formats in recent UKRI funding opportunities. These pilots are helping us to develop a standardised format, the R4RI. In future, all funding opportunities that require track record information will use the R4RI.

During this pilot phase, it is important to refer to the specific funding opportunity guidance on how to complete the R4RI template. Guidance for each opportunity is available on the funding finder.

What we’ve learnt so far

We have already used narrative CV formats in several pilot opportunities. This has allowed us to try narrative CVs with different types of funding opportunity.

When used in the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Tools and Resources Development Fund, 60% of respondents indicated they were satisfied or very satisfied with the format.

In another pilot, (UKRI Citizen Science), 65% of applicants said they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the use of a narrative CV in place of the track record section. 71% agreed it provided more flexibility to highlight specific skills, experience, and achievements relevant to delivery of the project.

Applicant feedback did indicate areas for further consideration: some applicants were concerned that we minimise the effort required to create these documents.

We are working with others across the research and innovation community to make the R4RI both straightforward to use and a valuable tool for evidencing your contributions.

Broader adoption of the narrative CV

UKRI is also working to support the adoption of the Royal Society’s Resumé for Researchers (R4R)-like narrative CV format across the sector, for use in funding and beyond.

Joint Funders Group

Established in 2021, the Joint Funders Group brings together UK and international funders to explore a shared approach to adopting a narrative CV format. The group develops resources to support the implementation of a Resumé for Researchers (R4R)-like narrative CV and shares learning and best practice.

Alternative Uses Group

In partnership with Universities UK (UUK), UKRI has developed an Alternative Uses Group (AUG) to explore the additional applications of a narrative CV format in the assessment of people.

The AUG brings together UK research organisations and other stakeholders to explore, test and evaluate alternative uses and share best practice.

Why we’re doing it

Traditional academic CVs are often narrowly focused and tend to include limited information beyond education history, publications and successful funding.

R4RI gives applicants like you the opportunity to make visible to assessors the many other contributions you make to the research and innovation community, to highlight essential skills (such as managing teams or collaborations), as well as outputs.

Other benefits include:

the format allows better description of varied career paths, reduces focus on continuous productivity, and enables a greater diversity of people to be recognised
applicants can put their skills and experience in context to aid reviewers who may be unfamiliar with the discipline or sector to understand the significance and impact
R4RI also reduces focus on lists and quantity of outputs, instead increases focus on quality of outputs, in line with UKRI’s commitment to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and to responsible research assessment
R4RI will replace current varied formats and guidance with a single approach when you apply for funding.

What happens next

Evidence from pilots we have run will be used to define and refine the use of a Résumé for Researchers (R4R) approach and support us in engaging with the research community as we embed this change efficiently and effectively.

Based on the pilots we are:

developing guidance for assessors on how to evaluate the format fairly, and be open and honest about the criteria we use
developing a UKRI-wide framework that works across different disciplines, career stages and pathways, as well as both individual and team applications. To ensure we get this right we will engage the breadth of the research community and work hand-in-hand to develop and implement effective solutions
streamlining our assessment processes so that they support the new format and deliver our longer-term ambition of a healthy, inclusive research and innovation system
providing support, training and examples for UKRI colleagues and applicants
working with reviewers and panel members to ensure that this format supports them in making fair and robust recommendations to us.

As our plans develop, we will work with you to help evolve our approach. We will ensure you have opportunities to contribute and provide you with clear communications about our intentions and timescales.