Outcome choices for particular person analysis projects observe the current announcement of a plan to steadiness finances.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), a part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has immediately set out how its prioritisation programme will have an effect on the analysis projects in its Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics (PPAN) portfolio.
Due to elevated prices forecast within the future, the analysis council has carried out a prioritisation train for future projects to focus funding the place it’s going to ship the best long-term affect and guarantee STFC reaches a sustainable monetary place.
Protecting discovery analysis
STFC will defend discovery analysis in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics, with the PPAN science finances reducing by 2.7% over 4 years.
Support for these disciplines permits STFC to guard postdoctoral researchers and keep the UK’s place as a global chief throughout these disciplines.
The authorities awarded UKRI a document settlement within the 2025 Spending Review, from which STFC’s core finances is flat between 2026 and 2030.
However, STFC’s prices are forecast to extend considerably on this interval on account of components together with:
- elevated power prices
- unfavourable overseas alternate fluctuations
- larger staffing prices
- an expanded portfolio of actions
Prioritisation outcomes explainer
STFC has up to date particular person projects throughout the portfolio concerning the final result of the prioritisation train that are detailed within the explainer annex.
Where projects are dwell, all will proceed to the top of their present grant settlement with out change, with outcomes regarding future funding.
All future funding will likely be topic to professional peer evaluation.
Shaped by engagement
Professor Michele Dougherty, Executive Chair of STFC, yesterday stated:
After listening to our neighborhood we now have protected core discovery analysis inside PPAN, by a extra centered portfolio that safeguards postdoctoral researchers, protects PhD alternatives and maintains the UK’s worldwide management.
However, the state of affairs does require some robust, however obligatory, choices which we now have outlined immediately.
These are by no means straightforward decisions, however we now have made what we really feel are the appropriate choices to convey STFC to a sustainable monetary place by 2029/30.
The power of feeling and depth of engagement we now have seen replicate the eagerness individuals have for the analysis STFC permits.
While this has concerned difficult conversations, it has formed a plan providing the very best out there method ahead and we’re grateful for everybody’s enter.
Support for analysis, innovation and progress
The programme was formed by engagement with the analysis neighborhood, with STFC’s professional advisory our bodies, and in session with specialist employees.
It was agreed at a gathering of UKRI’s Board on 1 July 2026, after a suggestion from UKRI’s Executive Committee.
The outcomes introduced prioritise the analysis infrastructure and capabilities that underpin the UK’s world-leading analysis base.
Achieving a sustainable programme by 2030 requires some tough decisions; these choices will guarantee STFC can proceed investing within the amenities and capabilities the neighborhood depends on.
Watch a video with more details on the work to set budgets within STFC (YouTube)
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