The government has published a series of strategic announcements on research, including the much-anticipated independent review of research development and innovation (RDI) in the UK by Sir Paul Nurse.

The recently created Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Science and Technology Framework meanwhile sets out a 10-point plan for securing the government’s ambition to make the UK a global science ‘superpower’ by 2030.

This includes identifying critical technologies, investing in R&D, developing talent, building international relationships and communicating the UK’s R&D strengths.

The Nurse review examines how an effective UK research ecosystem is essential to delivering these ambitions. It acknowledges the enormous strengths of the UK research base, including how the diversity and quality of our universities enriches the UK RDI ecosystem.

But weaknesses of RDI in the UK include too much bureaucracy, a focus on competition rather than collaboration by funding systems and lack of “end to end” research funding (encompassing direct research costs; administrative services; technical facilities; and laboratory facilities), while policy turmoil disincentivises long-term planning and investment.

Sir Paul recommends the government adopt a single strategic framework for RDI, which could help reform funding arrangements, reduce red tape, increase permeability of knowledge skills and expertise between sectors and boost diversity of organisations in the research ecosystem.

He adds that association with Horizon Europe should also be quickly established to prevent the loss of some of the UK’s most talented researchers and “maintain collaborations… with one of the largest and most powerful research communities in the world”.

The government has yet to publish its response to the Nurse review, although the Science and Technology Framework adopts some of its recommendations.

The Department for Science, Innovation and has meanwhile extended a promise to pay researchers for grants won from the EU’s Horizon Europe funding scheme to June 2023.

News of a potential protocol between the UK and the EU to resolve deadlocked trade issues in Northern Ireland has raised hopes of UK researchers being able to access Horizon Europe, the European Commission’s flagship €95 billion programme for funding research and innovation.