Science policy
Where science meets government
2025
U.K. science sector is ‘bleeding to death,’ lawmakers say in report
House of Lords committee urges government to stem exodus of science and technology companies
Science
Europe plans to double research spending in next Horizon Europe scheme
Starting in 2028, the EU’s flagship research program will have a new focus on boosting European competitiveness
Science
U.K. science funding to remain flat for next 4 years
Government also announces cash for nuclear, carbon capture, and AI projects
Science
2024
Funding overhaul threatens historic U.K. research units
Scientists protest new “challenge-led” grants replacing funding that supported long-term basic research
Science
A scientist asked to join the U.K. House of Lords—and got in
“I got one of those lovely phone calls,” evidence communication researcher Alexandra Freeman says about her surprise appointment
Science
U.K. visa changes imperil recruitment of scientific talent, policy experts warn
Skyrocketing visa costs and new restrictions make it harder to attract talent and students, threatening universities’ bottom lines
Science
U.K. science minister pays damages to researcher she accused of airing ‘extremist’ views
Universities’ union calls on Michelle Donelan to resign, saying her position is “untenable”
Science
2023
U.K. funding agency suspends diversity panel following pressure from science minister
Michelle Donelan had expressed “outrage” at panel members’ social media posts on Israel-Hamas war
Science
U.K.’s ‘high-risk, high-reward’ research agency starts to take shape
Naming of eight program directors hints at ARIA’s future work
Science
U.K. finally rejoins Horizon Europe research funding scheme
After years of excruciating delays, elated scientists welcome agreement
Science
New U.K. science ministry emerges from government reshuffle
Former behemoth government department split into new science, energy, and trade ministries
Science
2022
New U.K. prime minister brings worries about research funding and climate measures
Liz Truss may not honor promises by outgoing leader Boris Johnson to make the United Kingdom a “science superpower”
Science
U.K. outlines ‘Plan B’ research funding to skirt EU impasse
Domestic alternative to Horizon Europe program would focus on international collaboration
Science
Airline’s decision to end monkey transports will worsen shortage in research
Air France is one of the few carriers that still fly research primates internationally
Science
U.K. set to abandon Europe’s top science funding program, go it alone
As Brexit dispute deepens, grant winners forced to reject money or move to Europe
Science
Some countries still struggle to win EU funding despite programs to give them a leg up
“Widening” programs need matching efforts from participating nations, report says
Science
Upheaval in Norwegian science funding threatens grants
Firing of funding agency board alarms research sector
Science
2021
Major U.K. science funder to require grantees to make papers immediately free to all
New policy brings UKRI-funded research in line with European open-access push
Science
New U.K. funding agency would tackle innovative research
Advanced Research & Invention Agency managers would have freedom to fund risky ideas
Science
2020
Scientists fear no-deal Brexit as deadline looms
U.K. researchers in limbo, weeks from crashing out of EU trade and travel rules
Science
Cannabis research database shows how U.S. funding focuses on harms of the drug
Analysis of 50 funders finds cannabis treatment research is growing slowly
Science
COVID-19 and Brexit disruption offer chance to build stronger system, says new U.K. research funding head
Ottoline Leyser takes the reins at a challenging moment
Science
United Kingdom plans ‘office for talent’ to smooth entry for top scientists
Government R&D plan commits to covering Brexit funding shortfalls
Science