Catalogue description Ministry of Technology and successors: Research Associations Branch and successors: Registered Files (SV and RC/SV Series)

In 1965, the Ministry of Technology (Mintech) assumed responsibility from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) for grant aid to numerous scientific associations. These responsibilities were discharged by a free standing branch within Mintech, called the Research Associations Branch.

By December 1967 the branch had been incorporated as RA3 Branch under the Research Administration Division

The functions of the RA3 Branch (and successors) were concerned with the formulation of policy on research associations and liaison with them. In November 1969, the Branch's role was being described as concerned with the management of research associations; the planning and rationalisation of co-operative research; and the control and distribution of government funds as between research associations (with the intention of influencing the development of research associations though the manipulation of grant terms). The Branch had technical, administrative and financial responsibilities for the grant support of co-operative industrial work in research associations, with responsibility also for the co-ordination of Mintech's relations with sponsored research institutes. The Branch also had responsibility for certifying the research associations as qualifying for relief under the Income Tax Act 1952 and for premium payments under the Selective Employment Payment Act 1966. By 1970, certification for relief was in respect not of these Acts, but of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970 (s362) and the Capital Allowances Act 1962 (s90).

In October 1970, with the creation of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Research Administration Division, including RA3 Branch, passed from Mintech to the new department. In 1971, RA3 Branch became R3 Branch in the newly combined Research Division.

In November 1972, when the Research Division was split, R3 Branch became RR1 Branch of the Research and Development Requirements Division. Both the Branch and the Division continued as such under the Department of Industry from its establishment in March 1974 until 1977. From 1977 until 1982 the Division became the Research and Technology Requirements and Perspective Division and continued to service the Requirements Boards as well as taking responsibility for liaison with the universities and the Science Research Council. In 1982 the Division was involved in the development of science and technology policy, energy conservation, support for innovation and the assessment of the research and development programme and was renamed the Research and Technology Policy Division. It continued with the same name when the Department of Trade and Industry was formed in 1983.