🧵 New Research Fortnight out today! In this issue, we put the spotlight on the impact and implications of major changes to funding being introduced by UK Research and Innovation. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

Warnings that UKRI funding changes are pushing some early career researchers to move abroad. STFC-funded research groups already "haemorrhaging", this researcher tells @resprofnews.bsky.social.

Breaking: Research Excellence Framework director to step down in April. Former director Kim Hackett returning to oversee strategy while successor to Rebecca Fairbairn is found. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Powerful opinion piece about impact of UKRI pulling UK funds from Electron-Ion Collider project - US-based international facility for research into structure of matter - by Daria Sokhan, principal investigator on EIC-UK.

Unusual to hear a Russell Group v-c talking in the terms Manchester's Duncan Ivison does in interview with @chrisjparr.bsky.social. He thinks scrapping the "massive, bureaucratic" REF should be on the table. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

Fierce criticism of UKRI's decision to pull funding from upgrade of a detector on Cern's Large Hadron Collider. Tim Gershon, leader on the experiment, warns it will "collapse" the project and international partners could "end up just wasting their money".

UKRI's chief executive said recently that the UK "may wish to explore" paring back its association to the EU's research programme, to make it partial. That would be a "profound strategic error", critics now warn. By @clanicholson.bsky.social www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...

STFC's science board was told of "long-term cut" to grants for physics and astronomy researchers, former member claims. STFC, which funds both major facilities and grants, plans cuts of £162m by 29-20, as @resprofnews.bsky.social has revealed. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

More on the impact of UKRI pulling funding from a major experiment at Cern's Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator. Experiment's leader tells @francesjones.bsky.social upgrade of LHCb detector is "essential" to maximising upgrade of LHC itself.

Nature sums up 3 elements of UKRI funding changes: MRC/BBSRC grant pauses; STFC cuts; infrastructure deprioritised. Shame there's no credit for @resprofnews.bsky.social which first revealed all three! Stellar work by @francesjones.bsky.social @robinbisson.bsky.social @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social

Is notion of a reproducibility crisis in science "exaggerated"? After ERC's Maria Leptin suggests just that, @fionamcintyre.bsky.social talks to those studying the issue. To judge whether there's a crisis, we would need to know "normal" level of reproducibility, says @martmichaelis.bsky.social

UK is pulling its funding for Cern's Large Hadron Collider upgrade, STFC leader Michele Dougherty confirms, after news first revealed by @francesjones.bsky.social @resprofnews.bsky.social "We simply don’t have the money to do everything." www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Last week, RPN broke a string of stories on significant changes to funding across a number of research councils (see thread below) This morning, UKRI chief executive is appearing at the Commons science committee, where he is being asked about them by MPs Here are some key moments so far 🧵

The leaders of four major physics infrastructure projects due to receive over £280m from UKRI were told in December they have “not been prioritised” for funding The projects include an upgrade to the LHC at Cern and a new US particle accelerator ...

Another big story on changes to UK research funding - UK shelving £280m funding for physics infrastructure. Source tells @resprofnews.bsky.social if UK contribution to upgrade Cern's LHC is cut, project cannot go ahead By @francesjones.bsky.social www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Awkward timing for Michele Dougherty's Desert Island Discs to be broadcast, given scientists' concerns over cuts set out by STFC, which she leads. She was asked about keeping Musk in Royal Society: "I think it was the right decision...He's done a lot for improving our ability to get into space."

UKRI shelves physics infrastructure projects worth £280m, @resprofnews.bsky.social reveals. Projects affected include a collaboration with Cern to upgrade the Large Hadron Collider. Another big story from @francesjones.bsky.social. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Further impacts from UKRI "period of transition" as it shifts more to "national priorities" after spending review. MRC tells grant boards to cut funding rates; BBSRC pauses applicant-led calls By @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social @robinbisson.bsky.social www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

The MRC has asked each of its grant review boards to recommend no more than 3 applications for funding, RPN has heard from multiple sources Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...

Nobel winner and senior scientists slam cuts to UK physics “These cuts are the inevitable consequence of the government’s choices,” Nobel winner Andre Geim tells me www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

UK Research and Innovation secured a strong four-year budget settlement following the spending review last year. But it's becoming clear that a govt-driven shift in UKRI funding towards research linked to "national priorities" will have big impact for UK research and researchers...

Science and Technology Facilities Council told staff yesterday it aims to cut £162m by 29-30 and "challenge we are facing is by far the biggest in STFC’s history", @resprofnews.bsky.social reveals. Project leaders asked to model cuts of up to 60%. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Science and Technology Facilities Council seeking £162m in cuts by 29-30, with existing research projects facing axe, @resprofnews.bsky.social reveals. Backdrop is wider funding shift at UKRI. Big story from @francesjones.bsky.social www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

The "period of transition" underway at UKRI after spending review settlement will have big implications for many researchers. "Grave concerns" on applicant-led funds at MRC and BBSRC may herald wider pressure on curiosity-driven funds. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

The reforms to UKRI under Ian Chapman are only just starting, but there are already worries about what they mean for the bread and butter, applicant-led funding calls at research councils While UKRI insists comparisons with previous years are impossible, figures from December suggest...

The UK is set to lose £330m of fee it paid the EU to join Horizon Europe, after faring poorly in 2024, @resprofnews.bsky.social has revealed. Now there are calls for ministers to consider whether UK should opt against joining next Horizon Europe. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

UKRI is "changing the way some of its investment is directed to align with national priorities". Impact seen in apparent drop in funds for applicant-led research at two research councils. Warning this will be of "grave concern for many in sector". www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Is Trump reshaping not just US science, but world science? Seven global science leaders and experts weigh up his administration's impact on international collaborations, climate science, place of science in democratic societies. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-worl...

Horizon Europe must not be "cannibalised" by the EU's new competitiveness fund, MEP Eszter Lakos tells @francesjones.bsky.social. Commission's harder drive for economic "independence" amid Greenland crisis may push this issue further. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...

Not many details yet, but this is a genuine shift after *years* of campaigning by research sector to lower visa fees Treasury release mentions AI, quantum, semiconductors, life sciences and clean energy (i.e. industrial strategy sectors) But which fees? NHS surcharge, the big one, seems doubtful

Shift the govt wants at UKRI - and its new CEO wants - already in evidence as it pauses some funding calls. UKRI says it is in a "period of transition" after spending review, as it aligns more funding to "national priorities" and economic growth. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

After years of lobbying from science orgs fell on stony ground, it seems govt is finally willing to recognise that lowering visa fees could help attract science talent to UK. Treasury in driving seat here. And this plan only for key tech fields. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...

Geopolitics "changing the nature" of EU's Horizon Europe research programme, says MEP Christian Ehler. It's likely to become less open, which is "suboptimal for science and innovation", he warns. By @francesjones.bsky.social www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...

UK Research and Innovation, plus its research councils, quietly quit X. Via @robinbisson.bsky.social @sophieatrpn.bsky.social www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Birmingham v-c aims to counter claims that Russell Group has "undue influence" on policy. Adam Tickell's @resprofnews.bsky.social piece comes after suggestions REF and international fee levy policy changes benefit research-intensives. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

This looks significant: UKRI pauses several funding calls, as it enters "period of transition". MRC applicant-led scheme, coming under curiosity-driven "bucket", one of them. Comes with govt directing UKRI to align with "national priorities". www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

What would govt do if a university went bust? Skills minister's new letter sheds some light. - Govt has "fundamental responsibility to protect students and research" - Cites cases of liquidator continuing a company's business: Carillion, Thomas Cook www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

What is UKRI for? Ex-STFC leader John Womersley asks that question - and suggests the govt aim to support blue sky, mission-led and business-oriented research might be best served by breaking up UKRI into "three separate agencies". www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...

As Medical Research Council changes its funding model, three more Cambridge research units—on toxicology, mitochondrial biology and brain science—due to lose funding in 2027. Union tells @resprofnews.bsky.social staff may take action over job fears. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

"Foundational" elements of future research being cut back amid university finances crisis, authors of govt-commissioned report warn. @sophieatrpn.bsky.social hears what survey of uni financial leaders shows on cuts to research facilities, training. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

UKRI's allocation of budget up to 2030 just out. More about 'buckets' than just allocations for individual research councils this time round. Spending on curiosity-driven research flat, while budget linked to govt priorities, innovation will rise. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Just out: Four major publishers agree deals with UK university sector after long-running talks. Elsevier, Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis and Wiley have met "sector-agreed thresholds for acceptance", says Jisc. Via @robinbisson.bsky.social www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-o...

Patrick Vallance on REF as scaling back of research culture metric is announced: "That is a fundamental thing that REF needs to do: make sure that we really assess the outputs—where are they world class…and where are they not so?" www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

All the info on this morning's major announcement on REF 2029 - including scaling back/renaming of new research culture metric. via @chrisjparr.bsky.social www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Claire Gorrara is a key champion for the humanities as new dean of the School of Advanced Study. She tells @fionamcintyre.bsky.social some "losses" are inevitable, but maps out new futures for the humanities in era of "challenge and reinvention". www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...

UKRI's new CEO wants shift from "transactional" short-term grants to strategic relations with universities, based on "continuity and commitment". Ian Chapman in his first sit-down interview - with @resprofnews.bsky.social @robinbisson.bsky.social www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

‘No one seems to care’: scholars decry plight of British Library Historian Peter Mandler said it was “a sorry state when a major piece of public infrastructure like this is hit so badly and no one in authority even seems to notice, much less care”. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...

Exclusive: Publishers to trial removing fees from some journals in UK deals. Agreements under negotiation will include open access pilots hailed as “fundamental shift in business model”. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-o...

Is Europe's best economic hope to follow Silicon Valley model of tech-led innovation? Four economists, incl @neillee.bsky.social, debate a big question prompted by Philippe Aghion's Nobel prize for economics win and his agenda for European R&D. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...

"I think we’re at a moment of testing the unity in Europe, seeing if we can actually be a united player [in] science and research." As Denmark holds EU council presidency, @francesjones.bsky.social hears from its science minister, Christina Egelund. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...