The Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology’s new “Science and Technology Framework” is set to drive the UK’s science and tech innovation efforts forward — especially regarding quantum, AI, engineering biology, semiconductors, future telecoms plus life sciences and green technologies — through 10 key actions.

These 10 actions aim to “foster the right conditions for industry innovation and world leading scientific research to deliver high-paid jobs of the future, grow the economy in cutting-edge industries, and improve people’s lives from better healthcare to security.”

The Science and Technology Framework’s 10 actions focus on:

1. Identifying, pursuing and achieving strategic advantage in the technologies that are most critical to achieving UK objectives
2. Showcasing the UK’s S&T strengths and ambitions at home and abroad to attract talent, investment and boost our global influence
3. Boosting private and public investment in research and development for economic growth and better productivity
4. Building on the UK’s already enviable talent and skills base
5. Financing innovative science and technology start-ups and companies
6. Capitalising on the UK government’s buying power to boost innovation and growth through public sector procurement
7. Shaping the global science and tech landscape through strategic international engagement, diplomacy and partnerships
8. Ensuring researchers have access to the best physical and digital infrastructure for R&D that attracts talent, investment and discoveries
9. Leveraging post-Brexit freedoms to create world-leading pro-innovation regulation and influence global technical standards
10. Creating a pro-innovation culture throughout the UK’s public sector to improve the way our public services run

With the £370 million-plus in funding, capital is said to be rolled out to the following areas and projects: £250 million for AI, quantum, and engineering biology technologies; a £50 million uplift to the World Class Labs funding scheme for research infrastructure; up to £50 million to encourage co-investment in science from the private sector; and an additional £10 million for the UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund, among others. There’s also the previously announced £117 million for new PhD AI researchers.

On the growth push — which is a cross-government endeavour — Sunak said: “Trailblazing science and innovation have been in our DNA for decades. But in an increasingly competitive world, we can only stay ahead with focus, dynamism and leadership.

“That’s why we’re setting out 10 key actions under a bold new plan to cement our place as a global science and technology superpower by 2030 – from pursuing transformational technologies like AI and supercomputing to attracting top talent and ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed.

“The more we innovate, the more we can grow our economy, create the high-paid jobs of the future, protect our security, and improve lives across the country.”

Recommended

• Women Do Cyber 2023 Announce 40 New Scholarships
• Zoom President Greg Tomb Fired “Without Cause”
• AI Health Tech to Receive Nearly £16m in Funding

Donelan also commented, saying: “Innovation and technology are our future. They hold the keys to everything from raising productivity and wages, to transforming healthcare, reducing energy prices and ultimately creating jobs and economic growth in the UK, providing the financial firepower allowing us to spend more on public services.

“That is why, today, we are putting the full might of the British government and our private sector partners behind our push to become a scientific and technological superpower, because only through being world-leaders in future industries like AI and quantum will we be able to improve the lives of every Briton.”

In addition to the plan, the UK government also announced today that it has extended the Horizon Europe Guarantee scheme for UK applicants — an R&D funding initiative after Britain’s access to Horizon Europe, the EU R&D programme, was caught in the crossfire of Brexit — to the end of June 2023.