UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) are one of the main sponsors of UK research. Launched in April 2018, UKRI invests approximately £2.8 billion per annum in research covering arts and humanities to astronomy, physics, chemistry, engineering, economics, social sciences and medical and biological sciences.
UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It brings together the seven research councils, Research England, which oversees the functions of UKRI in relation to university research and knowledge exchange in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK.
The seven individual research councils are:
| AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council)
Funds world-class research across the whole range of the arts and humanities. |
http://www.ahrc.ac.uk |
| BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council)
Funds bioscience research that tackles major challenges and delivers a healthier sustainable future. |
http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk |
| EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
Funds research and training in engineering and the physical sciences. |
http://www.epsrc.ac.uk |
| ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council)
The UK’s largest organisation that funds research on economic, social, behavioural and human data science. |
http://www.esrc.ac.uk |
| MRC (Medical Research Council)
Funds research at the forefront of science to prevent illness, develop therapies and improve human health. |
http://www.mrc.ac.uk |
| NERC (Natural Environment Research Council)
The leading public funder of environmental science. |
http://www.nerc.ac.uk |
| STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council)
Funds research in astronomy, particle and nuclear physics and space science. |
http://www.stfc.ac.uk |
View each Research Council website for further information on their key priority areas, current research news and open funding opportunities. Their funding schemes are highly competitive and when planning your application, get in touch with us for guidance and support.
The other two councils are:
| Research England
Engages with higher education providers on research and knowledge exchange systems. |
https://www.ukri.org/councils/research-england/ |
| Innovate UK Supports businesses to develop new products, services, processes and collaborate with research. |
https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/ |
Other UKRI funding streams
The Global Challenges Research Fund supports groundbreaking research to address the challenges faced by developing countries.
The Newton Fund builds research and innovation partnerships with developing countries across the world to promote the economic development and social welfare of the partner countries.