Why this consultation, why now? Governments worldwide are calling upon higher education institutions (HEIs) to demonstrate more clearly their value to society as anchor institutions and the societal relevance and impact of their research, scholarship, and expertise. Many are using national research funding agencies to incentivise co-created research between academics and a wide range of beneficiaries. The Irish Government is no exception. Irish HEIs are being asked to step up and play their role in scoping impactful solutions to wicked and increasingly existential local, national, and global public problems. Of course, a significant body of work has already been undertaken or is in train. In this Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) (the Challenges, Public Service Fellowship and, Science Policy Research programmes); the Irish Research Council (IRC) (New Foundations and COALESCE programmes and ‘Roadmap on research for public policy’ (jointly with the Royal Irish Academic (RIA)); and The Irish University Association (Campus Engage programme) have led the way. But plans are afoot for the introduction of a new suite of interventions targeted at broadening and deepening linkages between academic researchers and policy-makers - to be layered on top of and to complement actually existing and already achieved knowledge exchange initiatives.