Our involvement in the National Fraud Initiative

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is required by law to protect the public funds we administer.

We participate in the National Fraud Initiative. This is a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. It is run by the Cabinet Office.

Our responsibilities

As a public body we may share information provided to us with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds to prevent and detect fraud.

We provide particular sets of data to the National Fraud Initiative for data matching. The data requirements and data specifications are defined by the initiative.

What the initiative does

Data matching can identify potentially fraudulent claims and payments. It involves comparing the computer records of one organisation against the records of either the same or a different organisation. This is usually personal information.

Where a match is found it may indicate an inconsistency in information that would require further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, an error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

The National Fraud Initiative is subject to a Code of Data Matching Practice.

See the National Fraud Initiative privacy notice for how it uses personal data. UKRI also has its own privacy notice.

Ask a question about data matching at UKRI

Email: [email protected]

Last updated: 10 November 2022

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