Opaque UK funding changes herald cuts to facilities and research programmes paused

Scientists have expressed frustration over strategic changes at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), as some funding programmes have been paused, while support for some large facilities shrinks. The changes come as UKRI reorganises to group funding into three main buckets: curiosity-driven research, strategic government and societal priorities, and supporting innovative companies. It’s also changing the processes behind this research, leading to temporary stops on some funding. ‘We are going to make a few pauses in our calls, which will launch again in spring,’ said Ian Chapman, UKRI chief executive at a press briefing.