Funding was announced after the government was ‘disappointed’ by the EU’s refusal to finalise the UK’s access to EU programmes including Horizon Europe, Euratom, and Fusion for Energy as agreed under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement in 2020.

The UK still prefers to be associated with Horizon Europe, but the European Commission’s implementation of the UK has been delayed. 

The funds aim to provide targeted support for staff retention and local talent strategies at eligible organisations and universities, as well as ensuring UK labs remain world class. 

In what seems like a direct response to the UK’s exclusion fro the EU’s Fusion for Energy programme, the government has stated that the funds will be a catalyst for growth in the UK’s fusion industry.

The UK is still open to association with the EU, but according to Business Secretary Grant Shapps: “The UK cannot wait indefinitely for the EU to meet its commitments which is why this funding is so important to boost research and innovation across the breadth of our country.”

The funding package will include £30 million going to a Talent and Research Stabilisation Fund to provide support to eligible universities and organisations who have a track record in attracting direct, talent-based funding from the EU. This hopes to help them retain talent and address vulnerabilities at a local level. 

A further £100 million of the fund will go to the Quality-Related funding for English universities with additional funding for the Devolved Administrations. This will deliver a one-off boost to enable universities to strengthen research capabilities vital to the UK’s research reputation.

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A one-off boost of £200 million for UK research infrastructures will enable investment in essential research equipment and sustain their research base. Funding will also be made available to the UK’s Public Sector Research Establishments. 

£42.1 million will be dedicated to the Fusion Industry Programme to galvanise the UK fusion sector through a challenge fund, engaging and supporting UK businesses in important technical advancements in fusion. 

Joint European Torus (JET) Operations will receive £84 million. JET is the world’s largest and most powerful fusion experimentation, and continued operations will help support other UK fusion programmes. 

Overall, the funds hope to provide stability to the UK R&D while it’s affiliation with EU associations is delayed. 

“This immediate investment will help our excellent research sector to shore up their talent pools, invest confidently in infrastructure and protect the UK’s reputation as a science superpower,” Shapps said.

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