Funding review too slow to publish, says DFID

The Department for International Development has welcomed the findings of a review of its funding mechanisms for international agricultural research centres, but said that delays had reduced the final report's relevance.

Between 2011 and 2015, DFID used its performance-management funding mechanism (PMFM)—which offers core multi-year funding for centres in addition to performance-related bonuses if a centre is deemed to demonstrate good value for money—to fund four agricultural research centres, to the tune of £40 million.

A review of this mechanism’s efficacy, conducted by consultancy firm Landell Mills, found that it had been successful in supporting the centres’ core and research functions. However the review said that for the next funding mechanism—for agriculture or otherwise—DFID needed better communication and greater direction.