July 13, 2026

expert reaction to the UKRI 5-year strategy

Scientists comment on UK Research & Innovation’s 5-year strategy. 

Dr Stuart Wainwright, NRO Group Director, said: 

“We welcome UKRI’s new strategy. National Research Organisations are foundational to the UK’s research and innovation system and critical to the economy, to the delivery of Government priorities and our national security and resilience. We are encouraged to see growing recognition of their importance in this strategy and look forward to working with UKRI to ensure these strategic national assets are fully recognised and utilised to deliver more world class science and ensure more value for citizens, the economy and our security.”

Dame Tamara Finkelstein DCB, Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:

“UKRI’s leaders have made bold but necessary choices about science and technology facilities in the context of a difficult funding environment, which reflect prioritisation rather than indiscriminate cuts across the board. While there will – unfortunately – be losses to important facilities, UKRI’s overall strategy strikes a sensible balance between research and innovation priorities. We stand ready to support UKRI and other partners in minimising harms and maximising opportunities for engineering and technology research and innovation.”

Rosalind Gill, The National Centre for Universities and Business Director of Policy, Analysis and External Affairs, said: 

“The UK has earned its reputation as a global leader in research. The opportunity now is to build on that success by creating the conditions for even more of that excellence to become investment, innovation and opportunity.

“That’s why the new UKRI strategy is so important. Through our work at the National Centre for Universities and Business, we see a shared ambition to realise more of the value that the UK’s research strengths can create. 

“Our Business-led R&D Taskforce has consistently argued that greater strategic focus is an important part of strengthening the UK’s innovation system. Making choices about priorities is never easy, but at a national level, having greater clarity about where the UK can build globally competitive advantage has the potential to create stronger partnerships, attract investment and accelerate growth. 

“At the same time, focus must be matched by sustained ambition. Continued investment in research, development and innovation is one of the most important foundations of long-term economic growth. The UK’s research excellence is a national strength, and our challenge now is to ensure we continue investing in that excellence while creating the conditions for more of it to deliver economic and societal impact.”

https://www.ukri.org/news/ukri-to-drive-future-tech-to-next-level-and-back-thousands-more-scientists-and-innovators-through-new-five-year-roadmap/

Declared interests

The nature of this story means everyone quoted above could be perceived to have a stake in it. As such, our policy is not to ask for interests to be declared – instead, they are implicit in each person’s affiliation.