Our mission is to be an international leader in research on the sustainable use of land and its natural resources for the benefit of people, their communities and the environment.

Founded in 1930, the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute is an international centre for research and consultancy on the environmental and social consequences of rural land uses. Interdisciplinary research across the environmental and social sciences aims to support the protection of natural resources, the creation of integrated land use systems, and the development of sustainable rural communities.

With an annual income from research and consultancy of over £11M, the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute is the largest interdisciplinary research organisation of its kind in Europe.

It is one of the main research providers to the Scottish Government and currently about 75% of the Macaulay's income is related to commissioned research programmes, principally on "Land Use and Rural Stewardship". The 300 staff and postgraduate students are drawn from over 25 countries, and conduct research in Scotland, across Europe and internationally, with a wide range of partner organisations.

The majority of the Institute's funding currently comes from the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate (RERAD)

Other funding sources included:

• competitively won RERAD contracts,
• income from European Commission contracts
• research and consultancy is undertaken by Macaulay Scientific Consulting Ltd (MSCL) the commercial arm of the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute.

Our goal is that the research we undertake provides evidence that will help shape future environmental and rural-development policy both in Scotland and internationally.

The delivery of research services is done through the research arm of The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, with the legal entity as the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (registered charity).

The delivery of consultancy services is done through the consultancy arm of The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, with the legal entity as Macaulay Scientific Consulting Ltd (trading company).

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