A cross-country repository of details on the innovation and science policy instruments available to firms in eight countries (2007–2020): The devil is in the detail

The information contained in this report was gathered and analysed as part of an exhaustive search of innovation and science policy instruments in eight countries. Extensive detail on each policy instrument is offered in order to facilitate cross-country comparisons focusing on the period 2007 to 2020. Innovation and science policy instruments in Ireland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, Israel, Singapore, and Norway are examined. All of the selected countries are highly active in providing different forms of public support for firm-level innovation and science activities. Therefore, understanding the cross-country similarities and differences in the policy instruments offered among this group of countries can offer insights on policy design, implementation, and impact. The analysis of innovation and science policy instruments is split across two sections for each respective country. The first section offers an 'at a glance' perspective of the instruments. This includes the eligibility requirements and other such information that funding agencies readily provide to the public. Building on the information provided in the first section, the second section provides a greater level of detail and nuance than is available in most publicly available country-level repositories of information on innovation and science policy instruments. This level of detail is important when comparing nominally similar policy instruments across countries. It enables the reader to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms through which innovation and science policy instruments impact firms and produce different firm-level innovation and science outcomes. This report finds that each country offers a unique policy mix with regard to the innovation and science policy instruments available to firms. While there are some policy instruments available across countries (seemingly similar on the surface), there can be subtle, but important differences that alter the manner in which firms engage with the instruments. Additionally, funding agencies have made changes to the instruments they offer, or moreover, how the instruments are offered to firms over the period 2007- 2020. This demonstrates the dynamic nature of innovation and science policy instruments at the firm level, and the importance of examining the characteristics of these instruments in the level of detail undertaken in the current report.