On Monday 19 May 2025, the UK Government published new plans to support long-term, ten-year funding for R&D activities.
Professor Andrew Morris CBE FRSE PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, has responded to the announcement: “The Government’s commitment to 10-year R&D funding budgets represents a positive and strategic shift that the Academy has long advocated for. The principles of this approach can provide the stability needed for breakthrough health research and innovation, potentially transforming our ability to tackle complex challenges from antimicrobial resistance to developing the next generation of medical technologies.
“We are particularly pleased to see the criteria focus on attracting global talent, supporting partnerships and fostering international collaboration, which are essential to maintaining the UK’s position as a world leader in medical science. Building sustainable research careers, collaborative networks and creative public-private partnerships takes time, and this long-term approach acknowledges this reality.
“We look forward to learning more specific details in the coming weeks, including how this funding will be sourced and allocated across health research. Overall, this announcement marks a positive step towards improving the conditions for the life sciences sector to drive both better health outcomes and economic growth.”