AI tool paints bigger picture of global impact of millions of research grants, papers and patents

Every year, billions are ploughed into research funding around the world that fuels scientific discovery, but where does that money actually go? Scientists have created a new machine learning AI tool called Funding the Frontier (FtF) that maps the impact of research grants onto publications, patents, policies, clinical trials and even news stories – providing a glimpse into how funding really shapes science and society.

Although research has long stressed the importance of science funding, it largely centres on grants and papers, leaving other kinds of impact underexplored. FtF is designed to help funders, policymakers, university leaders and researchers see the bigger picture by showcasing how science moves from investment to innovation in an informed and transparent way.