A scoping review on the use of Research Development Awards by research funding organisations in the UK and beyond.

<ns3:p>Background Research Development Awards (RDAs), also referred to as seed funding or development grants, are widely used by research funding organisations to support early-stage research activity, collaboration, and capacity building. Despite their widespread use across disciplines and funding systems, evidence on their purpose and outcomes remains fragmented, limiting opportunities for cross-funder learning and evidence-informed funding decisions. This review synthesises the evidence on RDAs across disciplinary and geographical contexts, examining their intended purpose, benefits, challenges, and contribution within wider research funding ecosystems. Methods A scoping review methodology was undertaken due to the conceptual and methodological diversity of the literature. The search strategy was limited to the last ten years (2015-2025) and included UK and international academic and grey literature. Searches were conducted in Scopus and Web of Science on 9 May 2025, with supplementary searching using Google Scholar, Sci-Space, and citation tracking of key articles. Data were extracted and synthesised across five research questions addressing the purpose, context, benefits, challenges, and outcomes of RDAs. Results A total of 998 records were identified, of which 102 articles met the eligibility criteria and included for full extraction. The evidence described RDAs as flexible, early-stage mechanisms designed to enable collaboration, build research capacity, and support future funding opportunities. RDAs were particularly valued for fostering partnerships, supporting community-engaged and interdisciplinary research. However, recurrent challenges included short award duration, limited funding, misalignment with traditional evaluation metrics, and difficulties evidencing longer-term or relational outcomes. Sustained impact was frequently contingent on follow-on funding and supportive institutional contexts. Conclusion RDAs function most effectively as enabling components within wider funding ecosystems rather than as stand-alone interventions. Their value lies in supporting readiness, relationship-building, and pathway creation, often beyond the life of the award. This review provides a cross-disciplinary foundation to support more transparent, evidence-informed design and evaluation of RDAs.</ns3:p>