Review of the Research Councils by Sir Paul Nurse

In April 2015, the Academy submitted evidence to inform Sir Paul Nurse's review of the Research Councils. This review is seeking to explore how Research Councils can support UK research most effectively, and invest public money in the best possible way.

The submission drew on the expertise of our Fellowship and considers the balance of funding across the research ecosystem, and the need for ongoing strategic flexibility to tackle future societal challenges.

Our response builds on the Academy's submission to the Triennial Review in 2013 which examined structures for the delivery of public research funding, and on recent input into the review of business-university collaboration led by Dame Ann Dowling.

Sir Paul Nurse's review is expected to report in summer 2015.

Sir Paul Nurse FRS FMedSci has announced the outcome of his review of the Research Councils, which explores how Research Councils can most effectively support UK research and invest public money in the best possible way. The Academy submitted evidence to inform this review, and highlighted the balance of funding across the research ecosystem, and the need for ongoing strategic flexibility to tackle future societal challenges.

In his announcement today, Sir Paul set out recommendations to evolve ‘Research Councils UK’ into ‘Research UK’: a Non-Departmental Public Body which would promote collaboration between individual Research Councils, Innovate UK and the university research funding currently provided by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). The report stresses the importance of maintaining the ‘dual support’ system for research investment, but suggests that the Government should consider the case for integrating the research funding element of HEFCE into ‘Research UK’. Whilst Research Councils should be arranged under a single organisation, the report advocates their preservation as distinct bodies, focusing on delivering high quality leadership to their respective disciplines and communities.

Professor Sir John Tooke FMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said:

“This is clearly a time of change across the research sector, and it is vital that the community remains engaged in discussions on how best to deploy available resource. Public investment plays a vital role in supporting our world-class research base, and works in balance with charitable and private investment to deliver the type of outstanding impacts highlighted in the recent REF exercise.”

“The Research Councils are a key component of the funding landscape for UK research, and the recommendations of the Nurse Review reflect on how this structure can deliver the best outcomes for public investment. We welcome this timely consideration and the informed discussion it will generate, alongside the recently launched consultation on Higher Education, and the Chancellors’ Spending Review due next week.”

“The Academy looks forward to working with the Government, to ensure this report helps to inform discussions on the path ahead.”