The Centre for Research on Innovation and Science Policy is a non-profit research organization established in March 2004 to promote research in the area of innovation policy in relation to agriculture and rural development. The founding members of CRISP have been in the forefront of research on innovation policy internationally. This coalition of science policy researchers saw a need for a more holistic approach to innovation policy and CRISP was established mainly to promote policy relevant research on rural innovation. CRISP is partner in the LINK Initiative (www.innovationstudies.org). LINK seeks to stimulate debate and share lessons on rural innovation policy and practice through research and advisory services.