UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the national funding agency that invests in research and innovation in the UK. Our nine councils partner with academia, businesses of all sizes, charities and government departments to provide essential knowledge, skills, infrastructure and innovation.
Find out how we’re improving lives and livelihoods across the UK.
Sharing information
We coordinate and share information with government on policy and strategy issues through:
- long-standing partnerships with government departments
- regular meetings with Chief Scientific Advisors
- participating in government advisory groups, boards and taskforces
We provide information on the international landscape through our UKRI teams co-located in embassies and high commissions in:
- Beijing
- New Delhi
- Ottawa
- Washington DC
Shaping the future of research and policy innovation
We help government shape the future policies for research and innovation by:
- sharing our knowledge and technical expertise
- building strong relationships across the UK’s research and innovation sectors, including industry and technology
- connecting government policy and delivery teams to experts and resources in research and innovation
- encouraging people to work across different sectors to bring new ideas and evidence into policy
- matching research and innovation programmes to policy priorities
- coordinating the use of UKRI and departmental research and innovation budgets to enhance cooperation and impact
Maximising UK engagement
Our UK Research Office supports the UK’s involvement in Horizon Europe, EU’s main research and innovation programme. As part of UKRI, they work with partners across the UK government and our stakeholders to maximise UK engagement in Horizon Europe.
In addition to offering a subscription-based service for UK universities and research organisations, they also provide free advice on:
- the European Research Council
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Widening Participation parts of Horizon Europe
- European Cooperation in Science and Technology
Funding solutions to real-world problems
Our funding takes a variety of forms, and we offer government departments different opportunities to invest in research and innovation.
Coordinated funding programmes
In this type of programme UKRI and a government department actively coordinate on the delivery of their respective R&I budgets, working alongside each other.
For example, the Medical Research Council works closely with the National Institute for Health and Care Research to understand and coordinate public investment in medical research.
Co-investment funding programmes
In this model UKRI and a government department agree to jointly fund a particular programme or initiative, working with each other.
For example, the department for environment, food and rural affairs (Defra) and the Scottish government both contributed to UKRI’s Bacterial Plant Diseases research programme, part of our Strategic Priorities Fund.
Managed funding programmes
We also manage programmes on behalf of government departments, these are where we deliver funding on behalf of a department.
For example, the Farming Innovation programme is managed by Innovate UK for Defra.
Supporting departmental priorities
Our funding programmes and research infrastructure are targeted at department priorities and address challenges listed in their areas of research interest. For example:
- our Institute for Fiscal Studies supports the Department for Work and Pensions by providing information on pensions and benefits in the UK
- our Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats helps the Home Office reduce violence against women and girls through our police research partnerships
- our labour market insights, business networks and sector analysis are helping shape the UK’s modern industrial strategy
Supporting government communications
As part of the Government Communication Service we support ministers’ priorities, enabling effective operation of public services and improving people’s lives.
We have close links with the communications teams working in government departments.
This allows us to meet the needs of government, to collaborate effectively on announcements and to create content that supports both our own and national priorities.
For example, we provide:
- visit opportunities
- stories of innovation and impact
- images and videos
- insight into specific sectors
- information on upcoming priorities
- opportunities for staff in government to learn about UKRI’s work
Running UKRI facilities, infrastructure and data
We offer world-class infrastructure and facilities, providing a comprehensive solution to the challenges faced by many early-stage companies.
Our sites provide ready access to an environment that enhances research and development, prototyping and collaboration.
Our Administrative Data Research UK programme provides safe and secure access for researchers to linked government data.
Funding and support for career development
Through our investments into skills and training we support people of all ages and at all career stages to upskill, learn and develop.
Each year we support around 5,500 UKRI doctoral students to graduate, delivering highly skilled researchers and innovators into the workforce across sectors.
Our Talent and Skills Connect platform provides a single place to access information on training courses, funding programmes and other tools to help develop the talent and skills pipeline.
We also provide bespoke skills investments, such as:
- apprenticeship and graduate scheme programmes
- Centres for Doctoral Training
- the Electric Revolution Skills Hub
- the Workforce Foresighting Hub
Read more about UKRI’s support for people and careers.