Government Announces additional £91 million for University-led Research

The Universities and Science Minister, Chris Skidmore, has announced the Government will invest an additional £91 million in university-led research in 2019-20.

The additional investment was unveiled in Research England’s annual budget allocations, and includes an additional £45 million for quality-related research (QR) funding – representing a real-terms increase of 2.3%. It also includes additional contributions from the National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF), which helps universities implement the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

The funding means universities in England will receive £2.2 billion in the 2019-20 academic year to support their research, forming a key part of the Government’s pledge to spend 2.4% of GDP on R&D by 2027. The additional funding will give universities more capacity to invest in the people, partnerships and infrastructure that are essential for delivering cutting-edge research that brings real-world benefits.

Alistair Jarvis, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said:

“This is a significant investment into the future of research in the UK, and a positive step towards the Government’s target to invest 2.4% of GDP into R&D.

“Quality-related research funding plays a key role in developing new talent, strengthening research culture and building the skilled workforce the UK needs if we are to perform effectively as a modern knowledge economy.

“With many of the greatest research discoveries and advances having evolved from curiosity-driven research, it is critical that we continue to invest across all subject disciplines.”

Announcing the funding, Universities Minister Chris Skidmore said:

“This announcement today marks an important recognition of university research and the need to invest more in flexible, curiosity-driven research that has tremendous benefits to developing our international standing as a research powerhouse.”

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