Table 1_Aligning national human resource development with future workforce transitions and the SDGs: policy lessons from Thailand's research-funding system.docx

The quantitative evaluation of Key Results across 376 funded projects demonstrated that 100% achieved its out-come alignment, with an overall performance score of 3.62, indicating a good level of performance. Mission-oriented funding logics, flexible intermediary coordination, and relational governance practices were identified as critical enabling factors. However, indicators requiring cross-agency integration demonstrated weaker performance.

Persistent gaps include indicator fragmentation, over-reliance on output-based metrics, limited cross-programme coordination, and absence of longitudinal tracking mechanisms for sustained capability outcomes.</p>Conclusions<p>Thailand's PMU-based model functions as a strategic governance instrument within the National Innovation System, co-producing capability formation through funding architecture, intermediary institutions, and relational governance.

Effective alignment between research funding, workforce transitions, and SDGs requires three complementary elements: mission-oriented funding structures embedding workforce priorities within innovation policy; intermediary institutions capable of adaptive coordination; and dual-layer performance architectures combining output accountability with developmental evaluation. These lessons offer transferable relevance for middle-income and transition-economy contexts seeking to harness research investment for sustainable and inclusive human-capital development.</p>