The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), a key component of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has today announced the outcomes of a significant prioritisation exercise affecting its Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics (PPAN) portfolio. The decision comes as the research council grapples with forecasts of escalating costs, necessitating a strategic realignment of future project investments to ensure long-term financial stability.
Under the new plan, the STFC aims to safeguard core discovery research within these critical scientific disciplines. While the PPAN science budget will see a 2.7% reduction over the next four years, efforts will be made to protect postdoctoral researchers and maintain the UK's leading international position in these fields. This approach is designed to allow STFC to reach a sustainable financial footing by the 2029/30 financial year.
Despite the government awarding UKRI a record settlement in the 2025 Spending Review, which saw STFC's core budget remain flat between 2026 and 2030, the council faces considerable financial pressures. Factors contributing to the projected increase in costs include significantly higher energy prices, unfavourable foreign exchange fluctuations, rising staffing expenses, and an expanded portfolio of activities. These external pressures have necessitated the tough decisions outlined by the STFC.
Professor Michele Dougherty, Executive Chair of STFC, emphasised that the prioritisation was shaped by extensive engagement with the research community, STFC's expert advisory bodies, and specialist staff. She stated that while these were never easy choices, they were deemed necessary to bring STFC to a sustainable financial position. The decisions, agreed upon by UKRI's Board on 1 July 2026, after a recommendation from UKRI’s Executive Committee, aim to protect the research infrastructure and capabilities that underpin the UK's world-leading scientific base.
For projects currently underway, all will continue without alteration until the conclusion of their existing grant agreements. The prioritisation outcomes primarily concern future funding decisions, which will remain subject to rigorous expert peer review. The STFC asserts that these choices will allow it to continue investing in the essential facilities and capabilities that thousands of researchers, students, and businesses rely on annually, fostering discoveries, innovation, and skill development that benefit the UK.