The Welcome Packs begin with an introduction to R&D and the organisations sponsoring this work. With a new cohort of MSPs entering the Scottish Parliament, it is vital that the sector articulates what R&D is and how it benefits lives and livelihoods in Scotland. They then contain information bespoke to the MSP’s constituency, region or nation.
CaSE 2026 MSP Welcome Packs
08 July 2026
CaSE, with the support of our sponsoring organisations, has sent a personalised welcome letter and pack to each MSP urging them to take steps to help R&D thrive in Scotland and encouraging them to start a conversation about what R&D means for their constituency, or region, and the wider nation.
Explore the content we sent MSPs below or use the look up tool to download the booklet for any Scottish constituency or region.
Download the welcome pack for your constituency or region
Explore the contents
National and constituency-level statistics demonstrating appetite for action on R&D
Policy recommendations on how to support the R&D sector in Scotland
Case studies showcasing the breadth of R&D happening across the nation
National and constituency-level statistics
In January 2026, CaSE polled 2,707 adults (16+) in Scotland to understand how people think and feel about R&D. Bespoke insights from this research were included in the booklets for MSPs, both at a national and constituency level.
How do people in Scotland feel about R&D?
CaSE’s research shows that people in Scotland:
Want to know more about R&D
Eight in ten people have heard of Research & Development and 54% were interested in hearing about R&D in the run up to the Holyrood elections in May.
See R&D as an asset to their communities
Most (66%) would be proud if their area became well known as an important R&D hub in Scotland and half (53%) would support an R&D laboratory being built in their area.
Want to see sustained R&D investment
Half (55%) think the Scottish Government should increase or maintain the amount of public money it invests in R&D in Scotland.
Value R&D investment, regardless of their political leanings
A strong majority think it is important for the Scottish Government to invest in R&D, irrespective of which political party they intend to vote for.
Want all of the R&D sector to be supported
More than two thirds think that it should be a priority for the Scottish Government to support research carried out in Scottish universities and research organisations (74%) and to attract leading multinational research companies to bring R&D centres and jobs to Scotland (69%).
What do Scottish constituents think?
CaSE commissioned constituency-level analysis to model constituents’ expected attitudes to their representatives, or the Scottish Government, taking actions to support R&D both locally and nationally. You can use the look up tool below to explore attitudes across constituencies.
Want to know what attitudes are like in your constituency?
Policy recommendations for MSPs
In addition to encouraging MSPs to start a conversation about what R&D can do for them and their constituency, CaSE has set out six policy asks of the new cohort of MSPs to help R&D thrive in Scotland.
We are calling on MSPs to urge the Scottish Government to take the following actions:
Adopt an ambitious, joined-up, cross-party approach that delivers sustained R&D investment in Scotland.
Align education and training pathways with R&D skills requirements to help create Scotland’s jobs and industries of the future.
Partner with universities and research organisations to develop sustainable funding models that enable long-term research and innovation.
Build on and leverage Scotland’s diverse, local strengths in R&D to maximise the nation’s share of UK and international funding.
Collaborate with Scottish businesses and entrepreneurs to drive investment in innovation and ensure research-led growth.
Incentivise collaboration across universities, the NHS, businesses and other research organisations to accelerate adoption of research.
Case studies of R&D across Scotland
Scotland has a wealth of excellence in R&D, with organisations across the nation expanding our understanding of the world, tackling society’s biggest challenges and engaging different audiences.
Each pack contains local case studies showcasing how R&D is improving lives and livelihoods in the constituency and across Scotland and encouraging MSPs to reach out to see it in action. You can explore all the case studies gathered, grouped by region, and find out more about each using the tool below.
Our sponsors
This project wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Wellcome and our project sponsors with deep rooted expertise in Scottish and Welsh R&D.
Find out more
Related resources
Public Attitudes to R&D in Wales 2026
08 July 2026
This briefing summarises attitudes to R&D in Wales. It is based on evidence from a nationally representative survey of 1,626 adults (16+) in Wales in January 2026.
Public Attitudes to R&D in Scotland 2026
08 July 2026
This briefing summarises attitudes to R&D in Scotland. It is based on evidence from a nationally representative survey of 2,707 adults (16+) in Scotland in January 2026.
Engaging a new cohort of devolved politicians
08 July 2026
CaSE have been working hard to engage the new cohort of politicians in Scotland and Wales following the 2026 elections.
CaSE 2026 MS Welcome Packs
08 July 2026
CaSE, with the support of sponsoring organisations, has sent a personalised welcome letter and pack to each MS urging and equipping them to become a champion for R&D in the Senedd