UKRI sets out spending priorities for £38.6 billion research budget

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has explained how it will invest its record four-year £38.6 billion (€44.02bn) allocation from the UK government. It plans on "undertaking fewer activities, delivered with greater focus, to generate the greatest impact to meet strategic objectives".

The funding will be invested across priority ‘buckets’ as set out by Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall and UKRI CEO Ian Chapman.

The priority ‘buckets’ for financial years 2026 to 2027 through to 2029 to 2030 are:
• £8bn (€9.12bn) on targeted research and development (R&D) addressing national and societal priorities, including clean energy, health resilience and national security;
• £7bn (€7.98) to support innovative company growth, helping UK businesses scale and commercialise cutting-edge technologies;
• £14bn (€15.96bn) for the curiosity-driven research that underpins the UK R&D system.

"The rest of the budget (£9.6bn) will be used for foundational investments that cut across these three areas, including in skills and infrastructure," said UKRI.

"We’re aligning our budget to advance knowledge…