Plate Nº 93 · recorded November 4, 2026
Science Policy & FundingReported finding
Research England ends three funds and sets 2027-28 changes
Research England will end three targeted university funds, modestly increase core research and innovation funding, and provide up to £9 million for collaboration and transition support from 2027.
By Elena Vasquez4 min read799 words
In brief
- Three targeted funds will end in 2027-28 after six years and £390 million in combined investment.
- Core QR and HEIF funding will each receive a modest increase.
- Up to £9 million over three years from 2027 will support regional and national collaboration.
- UKRI plans at least £2.2 billion a year for core QR funding over the Spending Review period.
- Responses to the HEIF formula consultation are due by 15 January 2027.
By Elena Vasquez
Three targeted university funds will end in the 2027-28 academic year after six years and £390 million in combined investment, while Research England launches a new suite of collaboration programmes.
The changes follow engagement with England’s higher education sector during summer 2026 and continuing institutional conversations. They also reflect decisions taken through UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) wider allocations and strategy process, set out earlier in the year.
Research England, the steward of the English university system, says the refreshed vision is intended to help universities build on strengths, form partnerships and contribute to long-term economic and societal benefits. The central policy shift is away from time-limited programmes toward longer-term sector-wide collaboration and capability building.
How will core funding change?
Core research and knowledge exchange funding remains protected. Mainstream quality-related research, known as QR, and the Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) will both receive modest increases.
Institutions will retain maximum flexibility to use those increases in response to their own strategic priorities. The funding will give universities room to direct resources toward the work they consider most important.
UKRI’s strategy commits to sustaining core QR funding for English universities in real terms, with at least £2.2 billion a year over the Spending Review period. Research England calls healthy research cultures a foundation for world-leading research and innovation, and says that goal remains in its wider funding and policy framework.
As ring-fenced, time-limited funds recede, Research England plans to align policy, funding and assessment mechanisms around its broader approach to research culture. It has also opened a separate consultation on proposed changes to the HEIF formula, following a recent review. Responses are due by 15 January 2027, so those formula changes are not yet final.
Takeaway: Core university research and innovation funding will rise modestly, although part of the allocation formula is still under consultation.
Which targeted funds are ending?
Three time-limited programmes will close in 2027-28. They were established to build capacity across the sector:
- Enhancing Research Culture Fund
- Participatory Research Fund
- Policy Support Fund
Across their six years, the programmes received combined investment of £390 million. Research England is placing greater emphasis on sector-wide activity while retaining strategic institutional funding. A new suite of funding interventions is due to launch in early 2027 to support collective action at regional and national levels and build shared capacity and capability.
Takeaway: Three temporary funds will close, making sustained work across institutions the new priority.
What new funding will institutions receive?
From 2027-28, the Research Capital Investment Fund will have a higher minimum funding threshold and a cap on the maximum any single institution can receive. Changes to UKRI’s prioritisation of infrastructure investment allow funding to spread more broadly on a competitive basis.
UKRI and the UK government have increased investment in research and innovation infrastructure during this Spending Review period, making more funding available through the revised approach.
Up to £9 million over three years from 2027 will support collective action at regional and national levels through a new research culture collaboration network. The network will include:
- Four regional coordinators
- A dedicated coordinator for small and specialist institutions
- A central hub
Complementary support will cover senior leaders and governing bodies. Related work will capture and share good practice, encourage learning across the sector and support activity involving multiple institutions.
Takeaway: New money and coordination structures will support collaboration, while institutions will compete for a larger share of capital funding.
How will institutions manage the change?
“Universities play a vital role in England’s research and innovation system, and these decisions are intended to ensure that our funding continues to support the sector effectively in a challenging environment,” said Professor Dame Jessica Corner, executive chair of Research England.
Corner said Research England had engaged closely with the sector and listened to its views. She added: “We know that change of this kind is not always easy, and that some institutions will face greater challenges in adapting to these funding changes than others.”
Research England said it would continue working with institutions as the changes take effect, including through targeted transition support and its continuing commitment to positive research cultures.
A specialist provider funding review will provide independent advice on how specialist institutions should be recognised within the funding framework. Targeted transition support will include enhanced monitoring.
Research England also released commissioned and supported reports intended to deepen understanding of the system and sector. They provide evidence on strategic funding and the financial health of England’s universities. More detail on the funding changes and HEIF consultation is available on the UKRI website.
Takeaway: Research England expects uneven adjustment and is adding targeted support, monitoring and independent advice for specialist institutions.
via UKRI News (Source)
More from Elena Vasquez
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Correspondent covering money, funding and market shifts around general science news at SciBeat.
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