UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has set out an ambitious five-year strategy to power breakthrough discoveries in future tech such as AI and quantum, and to support more than 20,000 researchers to drive growth across the UK, according to a press release issued on 13 July 2026. The plan outlines how UKRI will make the most of the government’s record £38.6 billion investment to boost research and innovation in every nation and region. It aims to translate funding into world-leading discovery to improve lives. The strategy will also back businesses to start, scale, and stay in the UK. It focuses on leveraging at least £3 of private investment for every £1 of public funding to grow the economy.
The strategy reinforces government priorities including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, clean energy, regional growth, and innovation-led productivity. It maintains the UK’s longstanding strength in curiosity-driven research, the foundation of many discoveries that transform lives. UKRI will simultaneously reform its processes and systems to become more agile and efficient. This will make it easier for researchers to focus on delivering pioneering work. The strategy builds on extensive engagement with stakeholders across the research and innovation sector following publication of UKRI’s allocations explainer in December.
By 2031, UKRI will have delivered key elements of the UK Compute Roadmap, including operation of the new national supercomputing service at Edinburgh by April 2028, and implemented the new UKRI AI Strategy. It will have supported over 20,000 new doctoral studentships across the UK and leveraged partner co-investment to grow doctoral capability in priority areas. Grant processing times for applicants will be reduced by at least 50%, including testing innovations at scale, such as distributed peer review. UKRI will also invest in local research and innovation, reinforcing local priorities and supporting growth across the UK. Alongside the strategy, UKRI has published its 2026 to 2027 delivery plan, which sets out actions to deliver the new mission.
Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Research funding transforms lives, unlocks growth, and creates new jobs, and a clear strategy to ensure we can deliver maximum impact for the British public is vital.”
He added that supporting curiosity-driven research can lead to tomorrow’s biggest breakthroughs, while focusing on technologies like AI, quantum, life sciences and clean energy that sit at the heart of the Industrial Strategy. Professor Sir Ian Chapman, UKRI Chief Executive, noted that with more than £9 billion to invest each year, UKRI has a unique opportunity to advance knowledge, improve lives and drive growth across the UK. Chapman said UKRI will show a clear line from mission to money over the next five years. He emphasized transforming the organization and boosting partnerships to shape the nation’s economic future.
Sector leaders welcomed the strategy, with Libby Hackett, Chief Executive of the Russell Group, describing UKRI as a remarkable asset fundamental to the strength of the UK’s R&D landscape. Dr Joe Marshall of the National Centre for Universities and Business highlighted the opportunity to translate research strengths into investment, innovation and opportunity. Sir John Lazar, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, welcomed the realism and prioritisation in the strategy amid difficult funding challenges. Hetan Shah, Chief Executive of the British Academy, welcomed UKRI bringing together expertise across STEM and SHAPE disciplines. Together, the strategy and delivery plan provide a clear framework for translating record investment into discovery, innovation, growth and public benefit across the UK.
