Research for Better Aid: An Evaluation of DFAT's Investments

Abstract

Research-based evidence contributes to development innovation and high-quality aid policy and programming. The Australian aid program has long recognised the importance of research to its work. Indicative of this is that the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) (and, before that, AusAID) grew its investment in research from $19 million in 2005–06 to more than $181 million in 2012–13—a rate of increase significantly higher than that of its programmable aid. This Office of Development Effectiveness evaluation assesses the degree to which DFAT’s aid investment in research has been appropriate, effective and efficient, and provides recommendations for improving the future management of its research investment.