ccountability in research funding has long been part and parcel of the academic process. From end-of-year grant reports required by funding bodies, to the criteria set out by organisations such as the European Commission to qualify the funds they give out, the need to ensure that funding organisations and researchers are us-I ing their resources wisely and achieving value for money has long been a priority in the research world. Yet in an age of austerity, the pressure for accountability and thorough, effective reporting has grown. Take, for example, the Chancellor's Spending Review-whilst the scientific research budget remained relatively unscathed, many other Government Departments faced significant cuts and the focus now is on reducing inefficiencies and demonstrating, pound for pound, how funds are being spent.
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