{"id":591014,"date":"2025-11-24T15:40:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T15:40:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/591014\/"},"modified":"2025-11-24T15:40:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T15:40:24","slug":"more-targeted-rd-investment-towards-driving-uk-growth-and-jobs-unveiled-by-technology-secretary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/591014\/","title":{"rendered":"More targeted R&#038;D investment towards driving UK growth and jobs unveiled by Technology Secretary"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li>The UK\u2019s public research funding body will deploy a significant portion of \u00a338.6 billion in taxpayer backing to support government priorities,\u00a0investing billions in UK expertise and innovation for growth and national renewal, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall says<\/li>\n<li>\nUKRI to invest \u00a38 billion for specific government priorities and \u00a37 billion for innovative company growth, to build and keep titans of future industries like quantum based in UK, building strong foundations for our economy<\/li>\n<li>Part of a package of announcements aimed at boosting funding and the in-flow of international talent into high-growth sectors of the future<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Record public research funding will be explicitly directed towards\u00a0supporting promising scale-ups, turbocharging economic growth and job opportunities\u00a0through our Modern Industrial Strategy, and improving lives, as part of a shake-up of public R&amp;D announced today. The move reinforces the government\u2019s push for national renewal, a Britain built for all, and a fairer economy that works for and rewards working people &#8211; work which will be further cemented through announcements at the Budget, later this week.<\/p>\n<p>Addressing research funders and major business leaders from the UK and beyond, the Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said today (Monday 24 November) that public R&amp;D funding had for too long been spread thinly across multiple priorities and projects and now was time for \u2018doing fewer things, better\u2019. She outlined\u00a0a \u2018no-compromise\u2019 approach that prioritises funding for the companies with the highest potential to grow into industry titans and into the sectors where the UK already retains a competitive advantage. Setting these priorities clearly, will support the national effort to build strong foundations for our economy and secure our country\u2019s future.<\/p>\n<p>UKRI is the country\u2019s largest public research funder, giving it a central role in ensuring public money is invested in ambitious, pioneering research that will benefit the whole of the UK and provide a clear return on investment for hardworking taxpayers.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/speeches\/liz-kendalls-speech-at-innovation-for-growth-summit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Addressing the UKRI Growth Summit in London<\/a>, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Scientific research and development is fundamental to building a better Britain: from new treatments for cancer, to breakthroughs in clean, affordable energy.<\/p>\n<p>There is no route to stronger growth in this country, no answer to how we pay our way, or compete with the rest of the world, without science, technology and innovation leading front and centre. But we must be smarter about what we prioritise, for these efforts to succeed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"last-child\">That is what today is all about. And by increasing funding for critical technologies like AI and engineering biology where the UK already excels, we can go even further.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u00a39 billion of UKRI\u2019s record \u00a338.6 billion settlement will go towards backing the fields of research in which the UK is among the strongest in the world, like AI and quantum, which could deliver breakthroughs in healthcare or pioneering cybersecurity tech to keep our country safe from threats. Funding for engineering biology will increase nearly three-fold, to \u00a3644 million, while funding for AI will more than double to \u00a31.6 billion.<\/p>\n<p>The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that breakthroughs in AI alone could boost productivity by as much as 1.5 percentage points a year, which could be worth up to an average \u00a347 billion to the UK each year over a decade. Quantum computing meanwhile could add over \u00a311 billion to the UK\u2019s GDP by 2045.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a38 billion will be allocated to funding research into the government\u2019s priorities, including the Strategy\u2019s priority areas and others like climate resilience and flood defence.<\/p>\n<p>While another \u00a37 billion will specifically fund innovative company growth to unlock the next generation of UK industry titans, building on the example set by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cambridge-based Paragraf, which has raised around $140 million since it was founded in 2018 as a leader of graphene, powering products like electric cars and medical scanners more efficiently<\/li>\n<li>IFast, a diagnostics firm, working to detect antibiotic resistance much faster than traditional methods.<\/li>\n<li>Ceres Power, a clean energy company behind cutting edge fuel cell technology for hydrogen production, employing around 600 people and with a market capitalisation of over \u00a3700 million.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The third \u2018bucket\u2019 will see \u00a314 billion going towards curiosity-driven research, which has been at the heart of great discoveries for generations \u2013 from the internet to medical breakthroughs that can treat a range of genetic diseases.<\/p>\n<p>Universities will be key beneficiaries from UKRI\u2019s record funding for R&amp;D. Their core block grant and commercialisation funding from DSIT will grow in line with expected inflation over the Spending Review period.<\/p>\n<p>Attracting top science and research talent to the UK, especially in the 8 key sectors of the Modern <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/industrial-strategy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Industrial Strategy<\/a>, is essential for achieving cutting-edge breakthroughs that economic growth, jobs, and entire new industries will be founded upon. Today the Science Secretary has also revealed the progress being made in those efforts \u2013 with the first 4 world-leading researchers relocating to the UK through the \u00a354 million Global Talent Fund. These lead researchers are expected to also bring up to 10 individuals to support their research projects from abroad.<\/p>\n<p>These leading researchers will be based across the country, and are spearheading work that could transform our health and wealth, ranging from efforts in neurobiology \u2013 which could give new insights into Alzheimer\u2019s &#8211; to better ways of tackling the pests and diseases that could cost the global agriculture industry over \u00a3400 billion in losses every year if left unchecked.<\/p>\n<p>This comes alongside additional leading scientists and academics being welcomed to the UK via other DSIT funded flagship talent and grant schemes delivered through UKRI and the UK\u2019s 4 National Academies.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside this transformative reform to R&amp;D funding and work bringing in the best international talent, the government is also today announcing a raft of further announcements that will help support our R&amp;D sector to turbocharge economic growth in the UK:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Launching the competition to find the next Chair of UKRI\u2019s Board, as Sir Andrew MacKenzie\u2019s term concludes after adeptly leading the UKRI Board since 2021. We are seeking a leader committed to protecting and growing curiosity-driven research, addressing government priorities and tackling the UK\u2019s biggest challenges. They will also play a key role in enabling R&amp;D-intensive companies to start up, scale up and stay in the UK while helping to leverage the private sector backing that can take discoveries to the next level<\/li>\n<li>Setting UK researchers 2 ambitious challenges as part of our R&amp;D Missions Accelerator Programme, backed by \u00a34 million in the first year, on\u00a0industrialising\u00a0and digitalising\u00a0construction and developing\u00a0the\u00a0infrastructure for\u00a0our\u00a0creative content exchange<\/li>\n<li>Launching the latest round of\u00a0Innovate UK\u2019s\u00a0Women in Innovation Awards, with\u00a0\u00a34.5 million\u00a0available\u00a0for up to 60\u00a0women\u00a0\u2013\u00a0building\u00a0on findings showing that if men and women started and scaled businesses at the same rate, this could add up to \u00a3250 billion to the UK economy<\/li>\n<li>Trebling the government\u2019s investment in the UK\u2019s world-leading Metascience Unit to \u00a349 million. The unit supports research into how we can increase the impact and efficiency of investment in science<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>UKRI CEO, Professor Sir Ian Chapman said:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"last-child\">The record investment in R&amp;D shows government\u2019s commitment to putting UK research and innovation at the forefront of our national success. At UKRI, our mission is clear: to advance knowledge, improve lives, and drive growth. We will invest strategically in areas where the UK can\u00a0achieve a significant market share globally. Research and innovation must\u00a0be\u00a0central to boosting the UK\u2019s economy and delivering real improvements to people\u2019s lives and livelihoods.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Notes to editors<\/p>\n<p>Universities will see their core flexible research\u00a0and commercialisation funding grow in line with expected inflation over the next 3 academic years.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Applications for Innovate UK\u2019s Women in Innovation Awards are open until 4 February 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>One of the Metascience Unit\u2019s early successes has been the trial of Distributed Peer Review \u2013 a novel method of assessing research proposals in which applicants themselves\u00a0participate\u00a0in the review process. UKRI will now expand the use of Distributed Peer Review across the organisation, enabling researchers from all disciplines to access funding more quickly\u00a0and experience fewer delays between proposal development\u00a0and project initiation.\u00a0And we are launching a new \u00a36 million grant opportunity for UK-led metascience projects.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Global Talent Fund details<\/p>\n<p>Attracting international talent is the catalyst for creating British jobs, boosting investment,\u00a0and increasing productivity \u2013 just what our economy needs. The \u00a354 million Global Talent Fund is enabling leading scientists\u00a0and their teams to\u00a0relocate\u00a0and thrive in the UK.\u00a0The Fund is designed to attract a total of 60-80 individuals in top research teams to the UK, working in the 8 high priority sectors critical to our modern Industrial Strategy like life sciences\u00a0and digital technologies. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This work is supported by the Global Talent Taskforce, which is driving efforts to ensure the UK\u00a0remains\u00a0a world leader in attracting\u00a0and\u00a0retaining\u00a0exceptional talent. By bringing the\u00a0very best\u00a0minds to the UK, working in fields that will be critical to our health, business,\u00a0and everyday life, we can\u00a0pave the way for the products, jobs\u00a0and even industries that define tomorrow\u2019s economy, to be made\u00a0and grow in Britain.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Fund is being delivered by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/leading-lights-of-uk-research-spearhead-search-for-worlds-best-talent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">12 of the UK\u2019s leading universities\u00a0and research institutions<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Talent recruitment through the Fund is already underway, with the following researchers\u00a0and academics having joined, or being set to join, institutions in the UK:\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Professor Baljit\u00a0Khakh, joining Cardiff University as the new Director of UK Dementia Research Institute, from UCLA, United States. His exceptional work in the fields of neurobiology\u00a0and neurodegeneration have seen him honoured with the H.W Magoun Distinguished Lectureship, the 134th UCLA Faculty Research Lecture, NIH Director\u2019s Pioneer\u00a0Award\u00a0and election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society (FRS) &#8211; the highest accolade in UK science.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Professor Armin\u00a0Raznahan, who is being appointed to the W. A. Handley Chair in Psychiatry at the University of Oxford. Professor\u00a0Raznahan\u00a0is a child\u00a0and adolescent\u00a0psychiatrist,\u00a0and\u00a0will be joining Oxford\u2019s Merton College from his current role at the US National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program (NIMH IRP). His work is focused on improving outcomes for young people with mental health problems.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Dr Hassan\u00a0Salem joining the John Innes Centre, from the Max Planck Institute for Biology, Germany. Dr Salem\u2019s research focuses on the relationship between plants\u00a0an\u00a0insects, including pests\u00a0and the diseases they carry \u2013 a critical area of work for food security. Crop losses caused by plant diseases\u00a0and pests could cost the global economy over \u00a3400 billion a year if left unchecked.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Dr Sven\u00a0Truckenbrodt, who has joined the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology from\u00a0a research\u00a0not-for-profit in California, United States. Sven is pioneering work on \u2018molecular\u00a0connectomics\u2019: a new way of mapping how the brain works \u2013 which could change how we understand mental health problems. In his career to date he has invented new ways of mapping\u00a0and tracking brain activity. The Global Talent Fund has allowed Sven to obtain highly specialised microscopes at the\u00a0cutting edge\u00a0of available technology, perfectly tailored to his research needs.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Global Talent Fund, administered by UKRI, is just one part of over \u00a3115 million funding that is being dedicated to attracting the\u00a0very best\u00a0scientific\u00a0and research talent to the UK. This includes the expanded Encode: AI for Science Fellowships\u00a0and the Turing AI Fellowships, which is embedding world-class AI researchers into UK labs, ensuring the UK\u00a0remains\u00a0a global hub for\u00a0cutting-edge\u00a0research\u00a0and innovation.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It sits alongside\u00a0additional\u00a0DSIT funded flagship talent\u00a0and grant schemes open to international research talent delivered through UKRI\u00a0and the UK\u2019s 4 prestigious National Academies. For example, the Royal Society\u2019s Newton International Fellowships\u00a0and the British Academy\u2019s International Fellowships which are both aimed at attracting outstanding international early-career researchers to the UK.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Today, the Medical Research Council (MRC) is\u00a0announcing additional\u00a0funding of up to \u00a38.5 million to expand its \u2018early independence\u2019 Career Development Award (CDA)\u00a0and Clinical Scientist Fellowship (CSF) schemes, making it easier for international researchers to build careers in the UK. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Just last week, the Academy of Medical Sciences\u00a0announced their latest 3 Professorship Awards, funding top-level researchers working on child mental health, heart\u00a0disease\u00a0and cancer to continue their work in the UK.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Royal Society also recently\u00a0announced a cohort of exceptional researchers awarded early career fellowships open to domestic\u00a0and international talent\u00a0and worth more than\u00a0\u00a383 million. These early career schemes are supported by DSIT\u00a0and include the University Research Fellowships, Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships\u00a0and Newton International Fellowships.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Royal Society recently\u00a0announced its first awards for the Faraday Discovery Fellowships\u00a0and the Royal Academy of Engineering are also expected to\u00a0announce their first awards for the Green Future Fellowships in due course \u2013 both schemes are open to international talent,\u00a0and have launched additional Accelerated International Application routes for exceptional non-UK-based researchers.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The UK\u2019s public research funding body will deploy a significant portion of \u00a338.6 billion in taxpayer backing to&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":482837,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5018,3,4],"tags":[748,393,4884,1144,712,16,15,1764],"class_list":{"0":"post-591014","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-britain","8":"category-uk","9":"category-united-kingdom","10":"tag-britain","11":"tag-england","12":"tag-great-britain","13":"tag-northern-ireland","14":"tag-scotland","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom","17":"tag-wales"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115605433494083172","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/591014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=591014"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/591014\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/482837"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=591014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=591014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=591014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}