What factors should you consider when choosing a research location?

Choosing a research location is a crucial decision for any research and development (R&D) project. The location can affect the quality, cost, and feasibility of your research, as well as the potential impact and benefits of your innovation. In this article, we will discuss some of the factors that you should consider when choosing a research location for your R&D project.

1 Availability of resources

One of the first factors to consider is the availability of resources that you need for your research, such as equipment, materials, data, and human capital. Depending on the nature and scope of your research, you may need access to specialized facilities, laboratories, databases, or networks. You may also need to recruit qualified researchers, technicians, or collaborators who have the relevant skills, expertise, or experience. You should look for a location that can provide you with the resources that you need, or that can facilitate the acquisition or sharing of resources from other sources.

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Sumit B.

(MetabolicChemistry -> (Epi)Genetics -> ProteinBiochemistry) Circularized and Summarised in MSNGSMS
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Access to factors which're consistent with increasing health with age - most notably sun to allow exercise and proper food generation.

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2 Regulatory environment

Another factor to consider is the regulatory environment of the location, which can affect the legal, ethical, and practical aspects of your research. Depending on the type and purpose of your research, you may need to comply with different regulations, standards, or protocols that govern the conduct, approval, or reporting of your research. These may include laws or policies related to intellectual property, data protection, environmental protection, human or animal subjects, safety, or quality. You should look for a location that has a clear and supportive regulatory environment that matches your research objectives and requirements.

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3 Funding opportunities

A third factor to consider is the funding opportunities that are available in the location, which can affect the financial viability and sustainability of your research. Depending on the scale and duration of your research, you may need to secure funding from different sources, such as grants, subsidies, loans, or partnerships. You may also need to consider the costs and benefits of your research, such as the expenses, revenues, taxes, or incentives. You should look for a location that has a favorable and accessible funding environment that can help you finance your research and maximize your returns.

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Agnes Zoller, PhD

Passion for Sustainable Innovation and People | CEO and Founder of InnoGrant Advisors Premium Funding Services | Chemicals, Life Sciences, Deep Tech | Strategy | Growth Mindset | Board Member | Speaker |>€150m Funding |
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As a funding expert, I definitely recommend running a funding landscape study on the locations. Grants, loans, subsidies, and even tax reduction opportunities and their scale can vary a lot when it comes to location. Other factors to consider are the expenses, i.e. employees, cost of materials, plant / lab infrastructure and building costs, expected revenues, incentives. Symbiosis and circularity with partners are other important factors when choosing the right location to build your new R&D facility.

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4 Market potential

A fourth factor to consider is the market potential of the location, which can affect the commercialization and diffusion of your innovation. Depending on the target and value of your innovation, you may need to assess the demand, competition, or barriers that exist in the location or its surrounding regions. You may also need to consider the opportunities or challenges that arise from the cultural, social, or economic characteristics of the location or its stakeholders. You should look for a location that has a high and growing market potential that can help you launch and scale your innovation and create value.

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5 Collaboration network

A fifth factor to consider is the collaboration network that exists in the location, which can affect the innovation and learning outcomes of your research. Depending on the complexity and novelty of your research, you may need to interact with different actors, such as other researchers, institutions, organizations, or communities. You may also need to leverage the knowledge, feedback, or support that they can offer to enhance your research process or results. You should look for a location that has a strong and diverse collaboration network that can help you improve and enrich your research and innovation.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What factors should you consider when choosing a research location?

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1 Availability of resources

2 Regulatory environment

3 Funding opportunities

4 Market potential

5 Collaboration network

6 Here’s what else to consider

Research and Development (R&D)

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