In this section: Public services

Science and R&D: what government spends on research and where it goes

Last updated 29 September 2026. Figures refresh every night. How each figure is worked out.

£20.8bn was spent on research and development in the UK in 2025-26, £300 per resident. That is +7.1% on a year earlier after inflation (+10.8% in cash). In 2025-26 prices it has gone from £7.9bn in 2006-07 to £20.8bn. Government paid for 20.1% of all R&D done in the UK in 2024, which came to 2.71% of GDP. UKRI decided awards worth £5.1bn in 2025-26, funding 18.7% of the applications it decided.

Figure as of 16 July 2026. Source: HM Treasury, HM Treasury, HM Treasury, HM Treasury.

Key figures

£20.8bnSpent in 2025-26, cash +10.8% on a year earlier As of 16 July 2026
+7.1%Real-terms change, 2025-26 on a year earlier £20.8bn in 2025-26 prices As of 16 July 2026
£300Per resident, 2025-26 As of 16 July 2026
2.71%Of GDP spent on R&D by all funders, 2024
18.7%Of applications to UKRI funded, 2025-26 As of 16 July 2026

Sources: HM Treasury, Office for National Statistics, UK Research and Innovation.

What is the short version?

Four measures, shown apart: HM Treasury’s R&D by function, ONS’s R&D by funder, all UK R&D (ONS, calendar years) and UKRI’s award decisions.
UKRI is the largest single funder, then departments (the NHS through DHSC is the largest), the university funding bodies and defence: £6.8bn of £20.4bn in 2024-25.
From 2026-27 UKRI budgets by priority, not by council, so council figures stop at 2025-26.

Over the longest run published: cash, real terms and per head

United Kingdom: spending in cash and in 2025-26 prices, £ billion

Real terms use HM Treasury’s GDP deflator, 2025-26 prices. Breaks in the series: 2011-12: Years before 2011-12 come from PESA 2011, which put almost no university research funding under R&D; later editions count it as education R&D. The rise is a change of classification, not new money. 2016-17: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills became BEIS in July 2016. 2018-19: UKRI was formed in April 2018 from the seven research councils, Innovate UK and Research England. 2019-20: ONS’s Ministry of Defence R&D series breaks: £282 million a year was reassessed as not being R&D. 2023-24: BEIS was split in February 2023: science moved to the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The UK associated to Horizon Europe from January 2024. 2026-27: From 2026-27 UKRI allocates its budget by priority "bucket" rather than by council, so council budgets cannot be compared with earlier years. In July 2026 DSIT’s functions were redistributed; science and innovation moved to the renamed Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST).

The numbers behind this chart

United Kingdom: spending in cash and in 2025-26 prices, £ billion (£ billion)
Year	Real terms (2025-26 prices)	Cash
2006-07 Details for 2006-07	£7.9bn	£4.9bn
Cash £4.9bn
2007-08 Details for 2007-08	£8.6bn	£5.3bn
Cash £5.3bn
2008-09 Details for 2008-09	£9.2bn	£5.9bn
Cash £5.9bn
2009-10 Details for 2009-10	£9.7bn	£6.3bn
Cash £6.3bn
2010-11 Details for 2010-11	£11.6bn	£7.7bn
Cash £7.7bn
2011-12 Details for 2011-12	£14.2bn	£9.7bn
Cash £9.7bn
2012-13 Details for 2012-13	£13.1bn	£9.1bn
Cash £9.1bn
2013-14 Details for 2013-14	£14.9bn	£10.5bn
Cash £10.5bn
2014-15 Details for 2014-15	£15.4bn	£11.0bn
Cash £11.0bn
2015-16 Details for 2015-16	£15.9bn	£11.5bn
Cash £11.5bn
2016-17 Details for 2016-17	£14.0bn	£10.3bn
Cash £10.3bn
2017-18 Details for 2017-18	£14.9bn	£11.1bn
Cash £11.1bn
2018-19 Details for 2018-19	£16.2bn	£12.3bn
Cash £12.3bn
2019-20 Details for 2019-20	£16.2bn	£12.6bn
Cash £12.6bn
2020-21 Details for 2020-21	£18.0bn	£14.8bn
Cash £14.8bn
2021-22 Details for 2021-22	£16.2bn	£13.4bn
Cash £13.4bn
2022-23 Details for 2022-23	£17.2bn	£15.2bn
Cash £15.2bn
2023-24 Details for 2023-24	£19.1bn	£17.7bn
Cash £17.7bn
2024-25 Details for 2024-25	£19.4bn	£18.8bn
Cash £18.8bn
2025-26 Details for 2025-26	£20.8bn	£20.8bn
Cash £20.8bn

Figure as of 16 July 2026. Source: HM Treasury, HM Treasury, HM Treasury, HM Treasury.

United Kingdom: spending per resident, 2025-26 prices

Per resident divides by ONS mid-year population estimates.

The numbers behind this chart

United Kingdom: spending per resident, 2025-26 prices (£ per resident)
Year	Per resident, 2025-26 prices	Per resident, cash
2006-07 Details for 2006-07	£131	£80
Per resident, cash £80
2007-08 Details for 2007-08	£140	£87
Per resident, cash £87
2008-09 Details for 2008-09	£148	£96
Per resident, cash £96
2009-10 Details for 2009-10	£155	£102
Per resident, cash £102
2010-11 Details for 2010-11	£185	£123
Per resident, cash £123
2011-12 Details for 2011-12	£225	£153
Per resident, cash £153
2012-13 Details for 2012-13	£206	£143
Per resident, cash £143
2013-14 Details for 2013-14	£233	£164
Per resident, cash £164
2014-15 Details for 2014-15	£238	£170
Per resident, cash £170
2015-16 Details for 2015-16	£245	£177
Per resident, cash £177
2016-17 Details for 2016-17	£213	£157
Per resident, cash £157
2017-18 Details for 2017-18	£227	£169
Per resident, cash £169
2018-19 Details for 2018-19	£244	£186
Per resident, cash £186
2019-20 Details for 2019-20	£243	£190
Per resident, cash £190
2020-21 Details for 2020-21	£270	£222
Per resident, cash £222
2021-22 Details for 2021-22	£242	£199
Per resident, cash £199
2022-23 Details for 2022-23	£254	£224
Per resident, cash £224
2023-24 Details for 2023-24	£278	£258
Per resident, cash £258
2024-25 Details for 2024-25	£281	£271
Per resident, cash £271
2025-26 Details for 2025-26	£300	£300
Per resident, cash £300

Figure as of 16 July 2026. Source: HM Treasury, HM Treasury, HM Treasury, HM Treasury.

Spending per resident by nation, 2024-25

Each nation is divided by its own population, so the figures compare like for like. England-only and UK-wide spending are never added together here.

The numbers behind this chart

Spending per resident by nation, 2024-25 (£ per resident, cash)
Item	£ per resident, 2024-25, cash
England	£229
Scotland	£226
Wales	£111
Northern Ireland	£154

Figure as of 16 July 2026. Source: HM Treasury, HM Treasury, HM Treasury, HM Treasury.

Source: HM Treasury, PESA 2026: chapters 4 and 5 tables, published 16 July 2026; HM Treasury, PESA 2021: chapter 4 and 5 tables; HM Treasury, PESA 2016: chapter 4 and 5 tables; HM Treasury, PESA 2011: chapter 4 and 5 tables.

What the R&D money is for

Government R&D by what it is for, £ billion, 2025-26 prices

Stacked bar chart of UK government R&D by function from 2006-07 to 2025-26. In 2025-26: General public services, including basic research £510m; Defence R&D £2.9bn; Public order and safety R&D £1m; Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £11.3bn; Environment protection R&D £484m; Health research £2.9bn; Recreation, culture and religion R&D £107m; Education R&D (university research funding) £2.6bn.

HM Treasury’s R&D sub-functions (PESA table 5.2), added up in our pipeline to give the UK total. Economic affairs R&D holds most civil science and innovation funding, including UKRI; education R&D is university block-grant research funding. Years before 2011-12 come from an edition that classified university research funding differently.

The numbers behind this chart

Government R&D by what it is for, £ billion, 2025-26 prices (£ billion, 2025-26 prices)
Year	General public services, including basic research	Defence R&D	Public order and safety R&D	Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding)	Environment protection R&D
2006-07 Details for 2006-07	£0.0bn	£1.5bn	£0.0bn	£4.7bn	£0.5bn
Defence R&D £1.5bn Public order and safety R&D £0.0bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £4.7bn Environment protection R&D £0.5bn
2007-08 Details for 2007-08	£0.0bn	£1.5bn	£0.0bn	£5.3bn	£0.6bn
Defence R&D £1.5bn Public order and safety R&D £0.0bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £5.3bn Environment protection R&D £0.6bn
2008-09 Details for 2008-09	£0.0bn	£2.0bn	£0.0bn	£5.0bn	£0.6bn
Defence R&D £2.0bn Public order and safety R&D £0.0bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £5.0bn Environment protection R&D £0.6bn
2009-10 Details for 2009-10	£0.0bn	£1.8bn	£0.0bn	£5.6bn	£0.6bn
Defence R&D £1.8bn Public order and safety R&D £0.0bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £5.6bn Environment protection R&D £0.6bn
2010-11 Details for 2010-11	£0.0bn	£4.0bn	£0.0bn	£5.2bn	£0.7bn
Defence R&D £4.0bn Public order and safety R&D £0.0bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £5.2bn Environment protection R&D £0.7bn
2011-12 Details for 2011-12	£0.4bn	£2.3bn	£0.1bn	£5.3bn	£0.8bn
Defence R&D £2.3bn Public order and safety R&D £0.1bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £5.3bn Environment protection R&D £0.8bn
2012-13 Details for 2012-13	£0.5bn	£2.1bn	£0.1bn	£4.8bn	£0.6bn
Defence R&D £2.1bn Public order and safety R&D £0.1bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £4.8bn Environment protection R&D £0.6bn
2013-14 Details for 2013-14	£0.6bn	£2.4bn	£0.1bn	£6.0bn	£0.7bn
Defence R&D £2.4bn Public order and safety R&D £0.1bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £6.0bn Environment protection R&D £0.7bn
2014-15 Details for 2014-15	£0.6bn	£2.7bn	£0.1bn	£6.3bn	£0.7bn
Defence R&D £2.7bn Public order and safety R&D £0.1bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £6.3bn Environment protection R&D £0.7bn
2015-16 Details for 2015-16	£0.6bn	£2.7bn	£0.1bn	£6.6bn	£0.6bn
Defence R&D £2.7bn Public order and safety R&D £0.1bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £6.6bn Environment protection R&D £0.6bn
2016-17 Details for 2016-17	£0.4bn	£1.8bn	£0.1bn	£6.1bn	£0.6bn
Defence R&D £1.8bn Public order and safety R&D £0.1bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £6.1bn Environment protection R&D £0.6bn
2017-18 Details for 2017-18	£0.5bn	£1.7bn	£0.0bn	£6.8bn	£0.7bn
Defence R&D £1.7bn Public order and safety R&D £0.0bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £6.8bn Environment protection R&D £0.7bn
2018-19 Details for 2018-19	£0.5bn	£1.8bn	£0.0bn	£8.4bn	£0.3bn
Defence R&D £1.8bn Public order and safety R&D £0.0bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £8.4bn Environment protection R&D £0.3bn
2019-20 Details for 2019-20	£0.5bn	£1.6bn	£0.0bn	£8.7bn	£0.2bn
Defence R&D £1.6bn Public order and safety R&D £0.0bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £8.7bn Environment protection R&D £0.2bn
2020-21 Details for 2020-21	£0.7bn	£1.6bn	£0.0bn	£9.2bn	£0.2bn
Defence R&D £1.6bn Public order and safety R&D £0.0bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £9.2bn Environment protection R&D £0.2bn
2021-22 Details for 2021-22	£0.1bn	£2.5bn	£0.0bn	£8.1bn	£0.1bn
Defence R&D £2.5bn Public order and safety R&D £0.0bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £8.1bn Environment protection R&D £0.1bn
2022-23 Details for 2022-23	£0.4bn	£2.6bn	£0.0bn	£8.3bn	£0.2bn
Defence R&D £2.6bn Public order and safety R&D £0.0bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £8.3bn Environment protection R&D £0.2bn
2023-24 Details for 2023-24	£0.4bn	£2.6bn	£0.0bn	£10.5bn	£0.3bn
Defence R&D £2.6bn Public order and safety R&D £0.0bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £10.5bn Environment protection R&D £0.3bn
2024-25 Details for 2024-25	£0.6bn	£2.9bn	£0.0bn	£10.0bn	£0.3bn
Defence R&D £2.9bn Public order and safety R&D £0.0bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £10.0bn Environment protection R&D £0.3bn
2025-26 Details for 2025-26	£0.5bn	£2.9bn	£0.0bn	£11.3bn	£0.5bn
Defence R&D £2.9bn Public order and safety R&D £0.0bn Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) £11.3bn Environment protection R&D £0.5bn

Figure as of 16 July 2026. Source: HM Treasury, HM Treasury, HM Treasury, HM Treasury.

Who pays for it

Government R&D by funding body, £ billion, cash

Line chart of net R&D spending by UK government funding body from 2013-14 to 2024-25: UK Research and Innovation (research councils before 2018-19) £6.8bn; Civil departments and devolved governments £5.8bn; Higher education funding bodies (one per nation) £3.4bn; Ministry of Defence £3.1bn; International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU) £1.4bn.

ONS net R&D spending by funder (financial years). UKRI’s line joins the research councils (to 2017-18) and UKRI (from 2018-19, which added Innovate UK), so it steps up in 2018-19. Research England is counted with the higher education funding bodies.

The numbers behind this chart

Government R&D by funding body, £ billion, cash (£ billion, cash)
Year	UK Research and Innovation (research councils before 2018-19)	Civil departments and devolved governments	Higher education funding bodies (one per nation)	Ministry of Defence	International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU)
2013-14 Details for 2013-14	£3.4bn	£2.9bn	£2.3bn	£1.5bn	£0.8bn
Civil departments and devolved governments £2.9bn Higher education funding bodies (one per nation) £2.3bn Ministry of Defence £1.5bn International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU) £0.8bn
2014-15 Details for 2014-15	£3.3bn	£3.0bn	£2.3bn	£1.7bn	£0.7bn
Civil departments and devolved governments £3.0bn Higher education funding bodies (one per nation) £2.3bn Ministry of Defence £1.7bn International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU) £0.7bn
2015-16 Details for 2015-16	£3.2bn	£3.1bn	£2.2bn	£1.6bn	£0.9bn
Civil departments and devolved governments £3.1bn Higher education funding bodies (one per nation) £2.2bn Ministry of Defence £1.6bn International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU) £0.9bn
2016-17 Details for 2016-17	£3.3bn	£3.2bn	£2.2bn	£1.6bn	£0.9bn
Civil departments and devolved governments £3.2bn Higher education funding bodies (one per nation) £2.2bn Ministry of Defence £1.6bn International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU) £0.9bn
2017-18 Details for 2017-18	£3.5bn	£3.6bn	£2.2bn	£1.6bn	£1.0bn
Civil departments and devolved governments £3.6bn Higher education funding bodies (one per nation) £2.2bn Ministry of Defence £1.6bn International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU) £1.0bn
2018-19 Details for 2018-19	£4.8bn	£2.8bn	£2.5bn	£1.6bn	£0.9bn
Civil departments and devolved governments £2.8bn Higher education funding bodies (one per nation) £2.5bn Ministry of Defence £1.6bn International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU) £0.9bn
2019-20 Details for 2019-20	£5.1bn	£3.2bn	£2.9bn	£1.0bn	£1.4bn
Civil departments and devolved governments £3.2bn Higher education funding bodies (one per nation) £2.9bn Ministry of Defence £1.0bn International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU) £1.4bn
2020-21 Details for 2020-21	£6.0bn	£3.6bn	£3.4bn	£1.1bn	£1.3bn
Civil departments and devolved governments £3.6bn Higher education funding bodies (one per nation) £3.4bn Ministry of Defence £1.1bn International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU) £1.3bn
2021-22 Details for 2021-22	£5.5bn	£3.5bn	£3.1bn	£1.8bn	£0.7bn
Civil departments and devolved governments £3.5bn Higher education funding bodies (one per nation) £3.1bn Ministry of Defence £1.8bn International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU) £0.7bn
2022-23 Details for 2022-23	£6.0bn	£3.9bn	£3.5bn	£2.1bn	£0.6bn
Civil departments and devolved governments £3.9bn Higher education funding bodies (one per nation) £3.5bn Ministry of Defence £2.1bn International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU) £0.6bn
2023-24 Details for 2023-24	£6.3bn	£4.6bn	£3.4bn	£2.6bn	£1.4bn
Civil departments and devolved governments £4.6bn Higher education funding bodies (one per nation) £3.4bn Ministry of Defence £2.6bn International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU) £1.4bn
2024-25 Details for 2024-25	£6.8bn	£5.8bn	£3.4bn	£3.1bn	£1.4bn
Civil departments and devolved governments £5.8bn Higher education funding bodies (one per nation) £3.4bn Ministry of Defence £3.1bn International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU) £1.4bn

Figure as of 17 April 2026. Source: Office for National Statistics.

Government’s part in all UK R&D

All R&D carried out in the UK came to £79.4bn in 2024, 2.71% of GDP. Government, UKRI and the funding bodies paid for 20.1% of it (£16.0bn); business paid for most of the rest. These are calendar-year figures on a different basis from the spending figures above.

R&D performed in the UK by who paid (rows) and who did it (columns), 2024, £ million
Paid for by	Government	Universities	Business	Charities	Total
Government Details for Government	4,471	7,206	3,773	537	15,989
Universities 7,206 Business 3,773 Charities 537 Total 15,989
Higher education Details for Higher education	29	7,323	43	32	7,427
Universities 7,323 Business 43 Charities 32 Total 7,427
Business enterprise Details for Business enterprise	82	1,606	43,337	72	45,098
Universities 1,606 Business 43,337 Charities 72 Total 45,098
Private non-profit Details for Private non-profit	58	1,353	110	420	1,941
Universities 1,353 Business 110 Charities 420 Total 1,941
Overseas Details for Overseas	79	400	8,352	118	8,948
Universities 400 Business 8,352 Charities 118 Total 8,948
Total Details for Total	4,719	17,890	55,615	1,180	79,403
Universities 17,890 Business 55,615 Charities 1,180 Total 79,403
of which: Civil Details for of which: Civil	4,047	—	51,475	1,180	—
Universities — Business 51,475 Charities 1,180 Total —
of which: Defence Details for of which: Defence	673	—	4,140	—	—
Universities — Business 4,140 Charities — Total —

Source: Office for National Statistics, Gross domestic expenditure on research and development, UK: 2024.

Where the money goes, level by level

UK total (this level)
Nation
Department or service body
Local body not published
Spending category
Line or transaction

United Kingdom

HM Treasury’s public spending on research and development: the R&D sub-function of each of the ten functions added up here (PESA table 5.2), from 2006-07. Every year comes from the newest PESA edition that publishes it.

£20.8bn in 2025-26 (cash); £20.8bn in 2025-26 prices; £300 per resident; +10.8% on a year earlier in cash, +7.1% in real terms.

United Kingdom: by department or service body, 2024-25
Department or service body	Cash, 2024-25	Real terms (2025-26 prices)	Per resident	Real change on a year earlier	Source	Below this
Government R&D by funding body (ONS measure) Details for Government R D by funding body (ONS measure)	£20.4bn	£21.1bn	£295	+7.3%	Office for National Statistics	Broken down below
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £21.1bn Per resident £295 Real change on a year earlier +7.3% Source Office for National Statistics Below this Broken down below
England Details for England	£13.4bn	£13.9bn	£229	+2.5%	HM Treasury	Broken down below
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £13.9bn Per resident £229 Real change on a year earlier +2.5% Source HM Treasury Below this Broken down below
Scotland Details for Scotland	£1.3bn	£1.3bn	£226	−9.5%	HM Treasury	Broken down below
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £1.3bn Per resident £226 Real change on a year earlier −9.5% Source HM Treasury Below this Broken down below
Wales Details for Wales	£355m	£367m	£111	−7.8%	HM Treasury	Broken down below
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £367m Per resident £111 Real change on a year earlier −7.8% Source HM Treasury Below this Broken down below
Northern Ireland Details for Northern Ireland	£297m	£307m	£154	+4.5%	HM Treasury	Broken down below
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £307m Per resident £154 Real change on a year earlier +4.5% Source HM Treasury Below this Broken down below

Government R&D by funding body (ONS measure)

ONS’s net R&D spending by UK government funders on the international (Frascati) definition, from 2013-14. It is a different measure from HM Treasury’s R&D by function above it and the two do not match: they differ on what counts as R&D and on timing.

£20.4bn in 2024-25 (cash); £21.1bn in 2025-26 prices; £295 per resident; +11.6% on a year earlier in cash, +7.3% in real terms.

Government R&D by funding body (ONS measure): by department or service body, 2024-25
Department or service body	Cash, 2024-25	Real terms (2025-26 prices)	Per resident	Real change on a year earlier	Source	Below this
UK Research and Innovation (research councils before 2018-19) Details for UK Research and Innovation (research councils before 2018-19)	£6.8bn	£7.0bn	£98.01	+3.5%	Office for National Statistics	Local body not published: UKRI does not publish its spending outturn by council. What is published is shown further down: the budget each council was allocated (a plan) and the value of the awards each council decided (commitments over several years). Awards by university are in the searchable table of lead organisations.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £7.0bn Per resident £98.01 Real change on a year earlier +3.5% Source Office for National Statistics Below this Local body not published: UKRI does not publish its spending outturn by council. What is published is shown further down: the budget each council was allocated (a plan) and the value of the awards each council decided (commitments over several years). Awards by university are in the searchable table of lead organisations.
Civil departments and devolved governments Details for Civil departments and devolved governments	£5.8bn	£6.0bn	£83.66	+21.9%	Office for National Statistics	Broken down below
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £6.0bn Per resident £83.66 Real change on a year earlier +21.9% Source Office for National Statistics Below this Broken down below
Higher education funding bodies (one per nation) Details for Higher education funding bodies (one per nation)	£3.4bn	£3.5bn	£48.87	−3.2%	Office for National Statistics	Broken down below
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £3.5bn Per resident £48.87 Real change on a year earlier −3.2% Source Office for National Statistics Below this Broken down below
Ministry of Defence Details for Ministry of Defence	£3.1bn	£3.2bn	£44.33	+11.6%	Office for National Statistics	Broken down below
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £3.2bn Per resident £44.33 Real change on a year earlier +11.6% Source Office for National Statistics Below this Broken down below
International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU) Details for International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU)	£1.4bn	£1.4bn	£20.22	−6.2%	Office for National Statistics	Broken down below
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £1.4bn Per resident £20.22 Real change on a year earlier −6.2% Source Office for National Statistics Below this Broken down below

Civil departments and devolved governments

R&D funded directly by departments (not through UKRI), including the NHS through the Department of Health and Social Care and the devolved governments’ own R&D. Departments that no longer exist (BIS, BEIS, DFID, DECC) are in the total for their years but have no line of their own here.

£5.8bn in 2024-25 (cash); £6.0bn in 2025-26 prices; £83.66 per resident; +26.9% on a year earlier in cash, +21.9% in real terms.

Civil departments and devolved governments: by line or transaction, 2024-25
Line or transaction	Cash, 2024-25	Real terms (2025-26 prices)	Per resident	Real change on a year earlier	Source
Health and Social Care (DHSC) (including NHS) Details for Health and Social Care (DHSC) (including NHS)	£2.0bn	£2.1bn	£28.74	+26.0%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £2.1bn Per resident £28.74 Real change on a year earlier +26.0% Source Office for National Statistics
Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) Details for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)	£1.3bn	£1.3bn	£18.23	+31.2%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £1.3bn Per resident £18.23 Real change on a year earlier +31.2% Source Office for National Statistics
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Details for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)	£510m	£528m	£7.36	+47.6%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £528m Per resident £7.36 Real change on a year earlier +47.6% Source Office for National Statistics
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Details for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)	£433m	£448m	£6.25	+10.7%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £448m Per resident £6.25 Real change on a year earlier +10.7% Source Office for National Statistics
Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Details for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)	£401m	£415m	£5.79	+7.9%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £415m Per resident £5.79 Real change on a year earlier +7.9% Source Office for National Statistics
Business and Trade (DBT) Details for Business and Trade (DBT)	£308m	£319m	£4.45	−7.8%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £319m Per resident £4.45 Real change on a year earlier −7.8% Source Office for National Statistics
Transport (DfT) Details for Transport (DfT)	£295m	£305m	£4.26	+47.6%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £305m Per resident £4.26 Real change on a year earlier +47.6% Source Office for National Statistics
Scottish Government (SG) Details for Scottish Government (SG)	£178m	£184m	£2.57	−2.3%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £184m Per resident £2.57 Real change on a year earlier −2.3% Source Office for National Statistics
Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Details for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)	£89m	£92m	£1.28	+33.6%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £92m Per resident £1.28 Real change on a year earlier +33.6% Source Office for National Statistics
Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) Details for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)	£56m	£58m	£0.81	+31.4%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £58m Per resident £0.81 Real change on a year earlier +31.4% Source Office for National Statistics
Home Office (HO) Details for Home Office (HO)	£52m	£54m	£0.75	−5.8%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £54m Per resident £0.75 Real change on a year earlier −5.8% Source Office for National Statistics
Other departments Details for Other departments	£45m	£47m	£0.65	−13.5%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £47m Per resident £0.65 Real change on a year earlier −13.5% Source Office for National Statistics
Welsh Government (WG) Details for Welsh Government (WG)	£43m	£45m	£0.62	−3.9%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £45m Per resident £0.62 Real change on a year earlier −3.9% Source Office for National Statistics
Education (DfE) Details for Education (DfE)	£38m	£39m	£0.55	−3.9%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £39m Per resident £0.55 Real change on a year earlier −3.9% Source Office for National Statistics
Work and Pensions (DWP) Details for Work and Pensions (DWP)	£31m	£32m	£0.45	+14.5%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £32m Per resident £0.45 Real change on a year earlier +14.5% Source Office for National Statistics
Northern Ireland Executive Details for Northern Ireland Executive	£27m	£28m	£0.39	−4.0%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £28m Per resident £0.39 Real change on a year earlier −4.0% Source Office for National Statistics
Justice (MoJ) Details for Justice (MoJ)	£21m	£22m	£0.30	+1.0%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £22m Per resident £0.30 Real change on a year earlier +1.0% Source Office for National Statistics
Food Standards Agency (FSA) Details for Food Standards Agency (FSA)	£7m	£7m	£0.10	−15.8%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £7m Per resident £0.10 Real change on a year earlier −15.8% Source Office for National Statistics
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Details for Health and Safety Executive (HSE)	£7m	£7m	£0.10	+11.4%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £7m Per resident £0.10 Real change on a year earlier +11.4% Source Office for National Statistics

Higher education funding bodies (one per nation)

Research funding paid to universities as a block grant by each nation’s funding body: the "dual support" partner of research council grants.

£3.4bn in 2024-25 (cash); £3.5bn in 2025-26 prices; £48.87 per resident; +0.7% on a year earlier in cash, −3.2% in real terms.

Higher education funding bodies (one per nation): by line or transaction, 2024-25
Line or transaction	Cash, 2024-25	Real terms (2025-26 prices)	Per resident	Real change on a year earlier	Source
Research England (HEFCE before 2018-19) Details for Research England (HEFCE before 2018-19)	£2.9bn	£3.0bn	£49.42	−2.1%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £3.0bn Per resident £49.42 Real change on a year earlier −2.1% Source Office for National Statistics
Scottish Funding Council Details for Scottish Funding Council	£309m	£320m	£55.71	−8.9%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £320m Per resident £55.71 Real change on a year earlier −8.9% Source Office for National Statistics
Medr (HEFCW before August 2024) Details for Medr (HEFCW before August 2024)	£107m	£111m	£33.58	−9.0%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £111m Per resident £33.58 Real change on a year earlier −9.0% Source Office for National Statistics
Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland Details for Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland	£73m	£76m	£37.87	−10.1%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £76m Per resident £37.87 Real change on a year earlier −10.1% Source Office for National Statistics

Ministry of Defence

Defence R&D on the international (Frascati) definition. The series breaks in 2019-20, when £282 million a year was found not to be R&D.

£3.1bn in 2024-25 (cash); £3.2bn in 2025-26 prices; £44.33 per resident; +16.1% on a year earlier in cash, +11.6% in real terms.

Ministry of Defence: by line or transaction, 2024-25
Line or transaction	Cash, 2024-25	Real terms (2025-26 prices)	Per resident	Real change on a year earlier	Source
Research Details for Research	£2.1bn	£2.1bn	£29.92	+6.6%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £2.1bn Per resident £29.92 Real change on a year earlier +6.6% Source Office for National Statistics
Development Details for Development	£998m	£1.0bn	£14.41	+23.6%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £1.0bn Per resident £14.41 Real change on a year earlier +23.6% Source Office for National Statistics

International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU)

UK payments into international R&D programmes. ONS cannot say where or on what they are spent.

£1.4bn in 2024-25 (cash); £1.4bn in 2025-26 prices; £20.22 per resident; −2.4% on a year earlier in cash, −6.2% in real terms.

International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU): by line or transaction, 2024-25
Line or transaction	Cash, 2024-25	Real terms (2025-26 prices)	Per resident	Real change on a year earlier	Source
Horizon Europe and Copernicus association Details for Horizon Europe and Copernicus association	£1.2bn	£1.2bn	£16.67	+4.7%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £1.2bn Per resident £16.67 Real change on a year earlier +4.7% Source Office for National Statistics
Indicative share of EU budget payments spent on R&D Details for Indicative share of EU budget payments spent on R D	£246m	£255m	£3.55	−37.0%	Office for National Statistics
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £255m Per resident £3.55 Real change on a year earlier −37.0% Source Office for National Statistics

England

Identifiable R&D spending for this nation’s residents (HM Treasury country and regional analysis), the latest five years. It leaves out R&D HM Treasury cannot assign to a nation (most defence R&D and international subscriptions), so the nations do not add up to the UK total.

£13.4bn in 2024-25 (cash); £13.9bn in 2025-26 prices; £229 per resident; +6.6% on a year earlier in cash, +2.5% in real terms.

England: by spending category, 2024-25
Spending category	Cash, 2024-25	Real terms (2025-26 prices)	Per resident	Real change on a year earlier	Source	Below this
Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) Details for Economic affairs R D (most civil science and innovation funding)	£8.2bn	£8.5bn	£140	−1.5%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £8.5bn Per resident £140 Real change on a year earlier −1.5% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Education R&D (university research funding) Details for Education R D (university research funding)	£2.8bn	£2.9bn	£48.17	−1.5%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £2.9bn Per resident £48.17 Real change on a year earlier −1.5% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Health research Details for Health research	£2.0bn	£2.1bn	£34.14	+25.1%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £2.1bn Per resident £34.14 Real change on a year earlier +25.1% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Environment protection R&D Details for Environment protection R D	£300m	£310m	£5.12	+21.7%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £310m Per resident £5.12 Real change on a year earlier +21.7% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Recreation, culture and religion R&D Details for Recreation, culture and religion R D	£81m	£84m	£1.38	+44.2%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £84m Per resident £1.38 Real change on a year earlier +44.2% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
General public services, including basic research Details for General public services, including basic research	£22m	£23m	£0.38	+50.7%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £23m Per resident £0.38 Real change on a year earlier +50.7% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.

Scotland

£1.3bn in 2024-25 (cash); £1.3bn in 2025-26 prices; £226 per resident; −5.8% on a year earlier in cash, −9.5% in real terms.

Scotland: by spending category, 2024-25
Spending category	Cash, 2024-25	Real terms (2025-26 prices)	Per resident	Real change on a year earlier	Source	Below this
Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) Details for Economic affairs R D (most civil science and innovation funding)	£790m	£817m	£142	−5.7%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £817m Per resident £142 Real change on a year earlier −5.7% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Health research Details for Health research	£416m	£430m	£75.00	−17.2%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £430m Per resident £75.00 Real change on a year earlier −17.2% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Environment protection R&D Details for Environment protection R D	£20m	£21m	£3.61	+13.1%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £21m Per resident £3.61 Real change on a year earlier +13.1% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
General public services, including basic research Details for General public services, including basic research	£12m	£12m	£2.16	−3.8%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £12m Per resident £2.16 Real change on a year earlier −3.8% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Recreation, culture and religion R&D Details for Recreation, culture and religion R D	£9m	£9m	£1.62	+72.4%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £9m Per resident £1.62 Real change on a year earlier +72.4% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Housing and community amenities R&D Details for Housing and community amenities R D	£5m	£5m	£0.90	−31.0%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £5m Per resident £0.90 Real change on a year earlier −31.0% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Education R&D (university research funding) Details for Education R D (university research funding)	£0m	£0m	£0.00	—	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £0m Per resident £0.00 Real change on a year earlier — Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.

Wales

£355m in 2024-25 (cash); £367m in 2025-26 prices; £111 per resident; −4.1% on a year earlier in cash, −7.8% in real terms.

Wales: by spending category, 2024-25
Spending category	Cash, 2024-25	Real terms (2025-26 prices)	Per resident	Real change on a year earlier	Source	Below this
Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) Details for Economic affairs R D (most civil science and innovation funding)	£296m	£306m	£92.89	−9.1%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £306m Per resident £92.89 Real change on a year earlier −9.1% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Health research Details for Health research	£51m	£53m	£16.00	−3.9%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £53m Per resident £16.00 Real change on a year earlier −3.9% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Environment protection R&D Details for Environment protection R D	£6m	£6m	£1.88	+14.9%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £6m Per resident £1.88 Real change on a year earlier +14.9% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Recreation, culture and religion R&D Details for Recreation, culture and religion R D	£2m	£2m	£0.63	+88.1%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £2m Per resident £0.63 Real change on a year earlier +88.1% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.

Northern Ireland

£297m in 2024-25 (cash); £307m in 2025-26 prices; £154 per resident; +8.8% on a year earlier in cash, +4.5% in real terms.

Northern Ireland: by spending category, 2024-25
Spending category	Cash, 2024-25	Real terms (2025-26 prices)	Per resident	Real change on a year earlier	Source	Below this
Economic affairs R&D (most civil science and innovation funding) Details for Economic affairs R D (most civil science and innovation funding)	£275m	£285m	£143	+4.4%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £285m Per resident £143 Real change on a year earlier +4.4% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Health research Details for Health research	£17m	£18m	£8.82	+2.2%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £18m Per resident £8.82 Real change on a year earlier +2.2% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Environment protection R&D Details for Environment protection R D	£3m	£3m	£1.56	+41.1%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £3m Per resident £1.56 Real change on a year earlier +41.1% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Public order and safety R&D Details for Public order and safety R D	£1m	£1m	£0.52	−6.0%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £1m Per resident £0.52 Real change on a year earlier −6.0% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Recreation, culture and religion R&D Details for Recreation, culture and religion R D	£1m	£1m	£0.52	−6.0%	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £1m Per resident £0.52 Real change on a year earlier −6.0% Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Housing and community amenities R&D Details for Housing and community amenities R D	£0m	£0m	£0.00	—	HM Treasury	Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.
Real terms (2025-26 prices) £0m Per resident £0.00 Real change on a year earlier — Source HM Treasury Below this Line or transaction not published: HM Treasury does not split a nation’s R&D spending by funding body or by recipient. The funding bodies below the UK total (ONS) are UK-wide; UKRI’s awards by nation are in the table of awards by nation.

Cash is as published. Real terms are in 2025-26 prices, using HM Treasury’s GDP deflator. Per resident divides by ONS mid-year population for the area the body serves. Changes compare the same body in consecutive years.

Search the department's payments over £25,000

Every payment of £25,000 or more the department published for the latest year, as published. See every department's spending over £25,000 for what each covers.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology published 2,403 payments worth £15.63bn to 357 suppliers and recipients from January 2025 to December 2025 (12 of 12 months published).

Gaps and problems in the data, as published (1)

The newest payment published is from 2025-12, 9 months before this was read.

Searching needs JavaScript. Every payment is in one JSON file.

Source: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, spending over £25,000 on GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0. 12 files read, newest updated 2026-07-30; every payment kept is in one JSON file.

Every file read (12)

DSIT spending over £25,000: December 2025 (2025-12): 176 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
DSIT spending over £25,000: November 2025 (2025-11): 164 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
DSIT spending over £25,000: October 2025 (2025-10): 159 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
DSIT spending over £25,000: September 2025 (2025-09): 195 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
DSIT spending over £25,000: August 2025 (2025-08): 261 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
DSIT spending over £25,000: July 2025 (2025-07): 178 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
DSIT spending over £25,000: June 2025 (2025-06): 143 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
DSIT spending over £25,000: May 2025 (2025-05): 147 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
DSIT spending over £25,000: April 2025 (2025-04): 306 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
DSIT spending over £25,000: March 2025 (2025-03): 300 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
DSIT spending over £25,000: February 2025 (2025-02): 174 rows. Read 2026-09-24.
DSIT spending over £25,000: January 2025 (2025-01): 200 rows. Read 2026-09-24.

UK Research and Innovation, council by council

UKRI does not publish what each council spent. Two things are published: the budget each council was allocated at the start of the year (a plan) and the value of the awards each council decided (commitments that are paid over several years).

UKRI councils: budget allocated (plan) and awards decided, 2025-26
Council	Budget allocated, 2024-25	Budget allocated, 2025-26	Awards decided, value, 2025-26	Award rate, 2025-26
Arts and Humanities Research Council Details for Arts and Humanities Research Council	£70m	£70m	£96m	18.8%
Budget allocated, 2025-26 £70m Awards decided, value, 2025-26 £96m Award rate, 2025-26 18.8%
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Details for Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council	£326m	£326m	£205m	14.4%
Budget allocated, 2025-26 £326m Awards decided, value, 2025-26 £205m Award rate, 2025-26 14.4%
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Details for Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council	£661m	£640m	£513m	14.5%
Budget allocated, 2025-26 £640m Awards decided, value, 2025-26 £513m Award rate, 2025-26 14.5%
Economic and Social Research Council Details for Economic and Social Research Council	£122m	£123m	£171m	20.3%
Budget allocated, 2025-26 £123m Awards decided, value, 2025-26 £171m Award rate, 2025-26 20.3%
Medical Research Council Details for Medical Research Council	£615m	£602m	£376m	12.4%
Budget allocated, 2025-26 £602m Awards decided, value, 2025-26 £376m Award rate, 2025-26 12.4%
Natural Environment Research Council Details for Natural Environment Research Council	£325m	£327m	£97m	16.3%
Budget allocated, 2025-26 £327m Awards decided, value, 2025-26 £97m Award rate, 2025-26 16.3%
Science and Technology Facilities Council Details for Science and Technology Facilities Council	£575m	£618m	£150m	20.6%
Budget allocated, 2025-26 £618m Awards decided, value, 2025-26 £150m Award rate, 2025-26 20.6%
Innovate UK Details for Innovate UK	£970m	£948m	£395m	20.0%
Budget allocated, 2025-26 £948m Awards decided, value, 2025-26 £395m Award rate, 2025-26 20.0%
Research England Details for Research England	£2.3bn	£2.4bn	£2.6bn	formula
Budget allocated, 2025-26 £2.4bn Awards decided, value, 2025-26 £2.6bn Award rate, 2025-26 formula

Budgets are the core council allocations from the department’s allocation pages; they leave out UKRI-wide budgets (talent, infrastructure, strategic programmes), about a third of the total. Research England’s awards are mostly formula grants to English universities, so it has no meaningful award rate.

UKRI awards made each year: value committed (£ million, cash) and award rate

Commitments made in the year, paid out over the life of each grant, so not the same as a year’s spending. The award rate (applications funded as a share of those decided) went from 44.3% in 2015-16 to 18.7% in 2025-26. The series breaks in 2017-18, when UKRI was formed.

The numbers behind this chart

UKRI awards made each year: value committed (£ million, cash) and award rate (£ million, cash)
Year	Value of awards made, £ million
2015-16	£3,008m
2016-17	£3,575m
2017-18	£4,031m
2018-19	£4,971m
2019-20	£5,983m
2020-21	£7,177m
2021-22	£6,750m
2022-23	£8,508m
2023-24	£9,380m
2024-25	£7,495m
2025-26	£5,117m

Figure as of 16 July 2026. Source: UK Research and Innovation.

From 2026-27: budgets by priority, not by council

UKRI now allocates by four priority "buckets". It says these cannot be compared with earlier council budgets.

UKRI budget by priority, £ million (plans)
Priority	2026-27	2027-28	2028-29	2029-30
Curiosity-driven research Details for Curiosity-driven research	£3.7bn	£3.6bn	£3.6bn	£3.6bn
2027-28 £3.6bn 2028-29 £3.6bn 2029-30 £3.6bn
Strategic government and societal priorities Details for Strategic government and societal priorities	£1.9bn	£2.1bn	£2.1bn	£2.2bn
2027-28 £2.1bn 2028-29 £2.1bn 2029-30 £2.2bn
Supporting innovative companies Details for Supporting innovative companies	£1.6bn	£1.8bn	£1.9bn	£1.9bn
2027-28 £1.8bn 2028-29 £1.9bn 2029-30 £1.9bn
Enabling and strengthening UK R&D Details for Enabling and strengthening UK R&D	£2.0bn	£2.1bn	£2.1bn	£2.2bn
2027-28 £2.1bn 2028-29 £2.1bn 2029-30 £2.2bn

Source: UK Research and Innovation, UKRI investments and outputs data, April 2015 to March 2026, published 16 July 2026; Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, DSIT research and development (R&D) allocations for 2025/2026, published 4 April 2025; Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, BEIS R&D: UK Research and Innovation allocation 2022-2023 to 2024-2025, published 30 May 2022; UK Research and Innovation, Budget allocations for UK Research and Innovation, 2026-27 to 2029-30, published 17 December 2025.

Where it goes: nations and regions

UKRI counts an award where its lead organisation is. Universities in London, the South East and the East of England lead a large share, and a grant led from one place often pays for work in several. Per-resident figures are for the four nations only.

UKRI awards decided in 2025-26, and R&D carried out in each area in 2024
Area	UKRI awards, value, 2025-26	Per resident	Award rate	R&D by universities, 2024	R&D by government bodies, 2024
United Kingdom Details for United Kingdom	£5.1bn	£73.64	18.7%	£17.9bn	£4.7bn
Per resident £73.64 Award rate 18.7% R&D by universities, 2024 £17.9bn R&D by government bodies, 2024 £4.7bn
England Details for England	£4.4bn	£75.06	18.5%	£14.9bn	£4.4bn
Per resident £75.06 Award rate 18.5% R&D by universities, 2024 £14.9bn R&D by government bodies, 2024 £4.4bn
Scotland Details for Scotland	£265m	£47.77	18.5%	£2.0bn	£243m
Per resident £47.77 Award rate 18.5% R&D by universities, 2024 £2.0bn R&D by government bodies, 2024 £243m
Wales Details for Wales	£122m	£38.42	17.8%	£608m	£60m
Per resident £38.42 Award rate 17.8% R&D by universities, 2024 £608m R&D by government bodies, 2024 £60m
Northern Ireland Details for Northern Ireland	£53m	£27.49	21.3%	£303m	£34m
Per resident £27.49 Award rate 21.3% R&D by universities, 2024 £303m R&D by government bodies, 2024 £34m
North East (England) Details for North East (England)	£240m	—	18.9%	£684m	£79m
Per resident — Award rate 18.9% R&D by universities, 2024 £684m R&D by government bodies, 2024 £79m
North West (England) Details for North West (England)	£450m	—	18.1%	£1.6bn	£255m
Per resident — Award rate 18.1% R&D by universities, 2024 £1.6bn R&D by government bodies, 2024 £255m
Yorkshire and The Humber (England) Details for Yorkshire and The Humber (England)	£394m	—	19.7%	£1.3bn	£228m
Per resident — Award rate 19.7% R&D by universities, 2024 £1.3bn R&D by government bodies, 2024 £228m
East Midlands (England) Details for East Midlands (England)	£198m	—	17.3%	£837m	£131m
Per resident — Award rate 17.3% R&D by universities, 2024 £837m R&D by government bodies, 2024 £131m
West Midlands (England) Details for West Midlands (England)	£394m	—	19.8%	£1.1bn	£114m
Per resident — Award rate 19.8% R&D by universities, 2024 £1.1bn R&D by government bodies, 2024 £114m
East of England (England) Details for East of England (England)	£416m	—	20.1%	£1.6bn	£489m
Per resident — Award rate 20.1% R&D by universities, 2024 £1.6bn R&D by government bodies, 2024 £489m
London (England) Details for London (England)	£1.2bn	—	16.4%	£4.1bn	£909m
Per resident — Award rate 16.4% R&D by universities, 2024 £4.1bn R&D by government bodies, 2024 £909m
South East (England) Details for South East (England)	£790m	—	19.7%	£2.6bn	£1.5bn
Per resident — Award rate 19.7% R&D by universities, 2024 £2.6bn R&D by government bodies, 2024 £1.5bn
South West (England) Details for South West (England)	£311m	—	21.0%	£1.2bn	£653m
Per resident — Award rate 21.0% R&D by universities, 2024 £1.2bn R&D by government bodies, 2024 £653m

UKRI awards are financial years; R&D carried out is ONS’s calendar-year estimate of R&D performed by universities and by government bodies located in the area, whoever paid. The UK row includes awards whose lead organisation’s location is not known.

What each measure counts

UKRI awards made, value

Total value committed in UKRI competitive funding decisions made in the financial year (research grants, fellowships and training grants), by where the lead organisation is. A commitment is spread over the life of the grant, so this is not one year’s spending.
UKRI awards made, per resident

UKRI award value committed in the year to lead organisations in the nation, divided by the nation’s ONS mid-year population. Universities serve the whole UK, so this is where research is led, not who benefits.
UKRI award rate

Applications funded as a share of applications decided in the financial year. It depends on the mix of schemes applied to, so it is compared with care.
R&D performed by universities

R&D carried out in the nation or region by higher education institutions, from all funders, calendar year (ONS).
R&D performed by government and research councils

R&D carried out in the nation or region by government departments, research council institutes and other public bodies, calendar year (ONS).

Who receives it: universities, institutes and companies

On 29 September 2026 Gateway to Research listed 26,063 active projects worth £15.8bn in total, led by 1,545 organisations. The table lists the 200 with the most award value as lead organisation.

Lead organisations by value of their active UKRI-administered awards, 29 September 2026
Lead organisation	Active projects	Award value	Main funder	Region
University of Oxford Details for University of Oxford	1,593	£847m	MRC	South East
Award value £847m Main funder MRC Region South East
High Value Manufacturing Catapult Details for High Value Manufacturing Catapult	2	£746m	Innovate UK	West Midlands
Award value £746m Main funder Innovate UK Region West Midlands
University College London Details for University College London	1,430	£709m	MRC	London
Award value £709m Main funder MRC Region London
University of Edinburgh Details for University of Edinburgh	1,031	£548m	MRC	Scotland
Award value £548m Main funder MRC Region Scotland
University of Cambridge Details for University of Cambridge	1,047	£520m	MRC	East of England
Award value £520m Main funder MRC Region East of England
Imperial College London Details for Imperial College London	1,093	£504m	EPSRC	London
Award value £504m Main funder EPSRC Region London
University of Manchester Details for University of Manchester	938	£431m	EPSRC	North West
Award value £431m Main funder EPSRC Region North West
University of Bristol Details for University of Bristol	894	£382m	EPSRC	Unknown
Award value £382m Main funder EPSRC Region Unknown
University of Glasgow Details for University of Glasgow	621	£371m	EPSRC	Unknown
Award value £371m Main funder EPSRC Region Unknown
University of Birmingham Details for University of Birmingham	728	£359m	EPSRC	Unknown
Award value £359m Main funder EPSRC Region Unknown
Our Future Health Details for Our Future Health	2	£354m	MRC	Unknown
Award value £354m Main funder MRC Region Unknown
King's College London Details for King's College London	745	£338m	MRC	London
Award value £338m Main funder MRC Region London
University of Leeds Details for University of Leeds	687	£330m	NERC	Unknown
Award value £330m Main funder NERC Region Unknown
University of Sheffield Details for University of Sheffield	689	£302m	EPSRC	Yorkshire and The Humber
Award value £302m Main funder EPSRC Region Yorkshire and The Humber
Rolls-Royce Plc Details for Rolls-Royce Plc	29	£286m	ATI	London
Award value £286m Main funder ATI Region London
University of Southampton Details for University of Southampton	604	£273m	EPSRC	Unknown
Award value £273m Main funder EPSRC Region Unknown
University of Exeter Details for University of Exeter	494	£234m	NERC	Unknown
Award value £234m Main funder NERC Region Unknown
National Oceanography Centre Details for National Oceanography Centre	51	£233m	NERC	South East
Award value £233m Main funder NERC Region South East
University of Nottingham Details for University of Nottingham	702	£232m	EPSRC	East Midlands
Award value £232m Main funder EPSRC Region East Midlands
Cell Therapy Catapult Limited Details for Cell Therapy Catapult Limited	4	£224m	Innovate UK	London
Award value £224m Main funder Innovate UK Region London
UK Biobank Details for UK Biobank	6	£217m	MRC	North West
Award value £217m Main funder MRC Region North West
Cardiff University Details for Cardiff University	425	£217m	MRC	Wales
Award value £217m Main funder MRC Region Wales
Airbus Operations Limited Details for Airbus Operations Limited	19	£215m	ATI	South West
Award value £215m Main funder ATI Region South West
University of Liverpool Details for University of Liverpool	506	£210m	EPSRC	Unknown
Award value £210m Main funder EPSRC Region Unknown
Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult Details for Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult	3	£179m	Innovate UK	North East
Award value £179m Main funder Innovate UK Region North East
University of Warwick Details for University of Warwick	556	£178m	EPSRC	West Midlands
Award value £178m Main funder EPSRC Region West Midlands
University of Essex Details for University of Essex	98	£177m	ESRC	East of England
Award value £177m Main funder ESRC Region East of England
Newcastle University Details for Newcastle University	510	£169m	MRC	Unknown
Award value £169m Main funder MRC Region Unknown
Queen's University Belfast Details for Queen's University Belfast	298	£162m	ESRC	Northern Ireland
Award value £162m Main funder ESRC Region Northern Ireland
Durham University Details for Durham University	395	£138m	EPSRC	North East
Award value £138m Main funder EPSRC Region North East
University of York Details for University of York	470	£135m	EPSRC	Yorkshire and The Humber
Award value £135m Main funder EPSRC Region Yorkshire and The Humber
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Details for London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine	112	£135m	MRC	London
Award value £135m Main funder MRC Region London
Queen Mary University of London Details for Queen Mary University of London	394	£131m	MRC	London
Award value £131m Main funder MRC Region London
Connected Places Catapult Details for Connected Places Catapult	2	£121m	Innovate UK	London
Award value £121m Main funder Innovate UK Region London
University of Bath Details for University of Bath	354	£108m	EPSRC	South West
Award value £108m Main funder EPSRC Region South West
Swansea University Details for Swansea University	247	£107m	EPSRC	Wales
Award value £107m Main funder EPSRC Region Wales
Heriot-Watt University Details for Heriot-Watt University	198	£106m	EPSRC	Scotland
Award value £106m Main funder EPSRC Region Scotland
Lancaster University Details for Lancaster University	288	£106m	EPSRC	North West
Award value £106m Main funder EPSRC Region North West
UK Battery Industrialisation Centre Ltd Details for UK Battery Industrialisation Centre Ltd	2	£90m	ISCF	West Midlands
Award value £90m Main funder ISCF Region West Midlands
Health Data Research UK Details for Health Data Research UK	20	£88m	MRC	London
Award value £88m Main funder MRC Region London
University of Strathclyde Details for University of Strathclyde	343	£88m	EPSRC	Unknown
Award value £88m Main funder EPSRC Region Unknown
Satellite Applications Catapult Limited Details for Satellite Applications Catapult Limited	2	£80m	Innovate UK	South East
Award value £80m Main funder Innovate UK Region South East
Royal Holloway University of London Details for Royal Holloway University of London	136	£79m	Infrastructure Fund	South East
Award value £79m Main funder Infrastructure Fund Region South East
Digital Catapult Details for Digital Catapult	5	£77m	Innovate UK	London
Award value £77m Main funder Innovate UK Region London
University of Sussex Details for University of Sussex	176	£72m	ESRC	South East
Award value £72m Main funder ESRC Region South East
University of Surrey Details for University of Surrey	197	£72m	EPSRC	Unknown
Award value £72m Main funder EPSRC Region Unknown
University of Leicester Details for University of Leicester	207	£71m	MRC	East Midlands
Award value £71m Main funder MRC Region East Midlands
Medicines Discovery Catapult Limited Details for Medicines Discovery Catapult Limited	3	£71m	Innovate UK	North West
Award value £71m Main funder Innovate UK Region North West
Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult Limited Details for Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult Limited	2	£70m	Innovate UK	Wales
Award value £70m Main funder Innovate UK Region Wales
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Details for Centre for Ecology & Hydrology	39	£68m	NERC	Unknown
Award value £68m Main funder NERC Region Unknown
University of Dundee Details for University of Dundee	127	£68m	MRC	Scotland
Award value £68m Main funder MRC Region Scotland
John Innes Centre Details for John Innes Centre	48	£67m	BBSRC	East of England
Award value £67m Main funder BBSRC Region East of England
The Pirbright Institute Details for The Pirbright Institute	22	£66m	BBSRC	South East
Award value £66m Main funder BBSRC Region South East
Energy Systems Catapult Limited Details for Energy Systems Catapult Limited	1	£64m	Innovate UK	West Midlands
Award value £64m Main funder Innovate UK Region West Midlands
British Geological Survey Details for British Geological Survey	23	£64m	NERC	East Midlands
Award value £64m Main funder NERC Region East Midlands
Adolescent Health Study Details for Adolescent Health Study	1	£62m	MRC	Unknown
Award value £62m Main funder MRC Region Unknown
University of St Andrews Details for University of St Andrews	213	£62m	EPSRC	Unknown
Award value £62m Main funder EPSRC Region Unknown
University of Reading Details for University of Reading	178	£61m	NERC	South East
Award value £61m Main funder NERC Region South East
Loughborough University Details for Loughborough University	196	£58m	EPSRC	East Midlands
Award value £58m Main funder EPSRC Region East Midlands
UK Agri-Tech Centre Limited Details for UK Agri-Tech Centre Limited	13	£54m	Innovate UK	Yorkshire and The Humber
Award value £54m Main funder Innovate UK Region Yorkshire and The Humber
University of East Anglia Details for University of East Anglia	278	£54m	BBSRC	East of England
Award value £54m Main funder BBSRC Region East of England
British Antarctic Survey Details for British Antarctic Survey	44	£53m	NERC	East of England
Award value £53m Main funder NERC Region East of England
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Details for Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine	51	£52m	Innovate UK	North West
Award value £52m Main funder Innovate UK Region North West
Artemis Technologies Ltd Details for Artemis Technologies Ltd	3	£51m	Innovate UK	South West
Award value £51m Main funder Innovate UK Region South West
Gkn Aerospace Services Limited Details for Gkn Aerospace Services Limited	6	£50m	ATI	West Midlands
Award value £50m Main funder ATI Region West Midlands
Rothamsted Research Details for Rothamsted Research	28	£47m	BBSRC	East of England
Award value £47m Main funder BBSRC Region East of England
Northumbria University Details for Northumbria University	154	£46m	EPSRC	North East
Award value £46m Main funder EPSRC Region North East
Seagate Technology Ireland Details for Seagate Technology Ireland	1	£42m	Innovate UK	Northern Ireland
Award value £42m Main funder Innovate UK Region Northern Ireland
Cranfield University Details for Cranfield University	119	£40m	BBSRC	East of England
Award value £40m Main funder BBSRC Region East of England
The Francis Crick Institute Details for The Francis Crick Institute	26	£37m	MRC	Unknown
Award value £37m Main funder MRC Region Unknown
Quadram Institute Bioscience Details for Quadram Institute Bioscience	24	£35m	BBSRC	East of England
Award value £35m Main funder BBSRC Region East of England
London School of Economics and Political Science Details for London School of Economics and Political Science	118	£34m	ESRC	London
Award value £34m Main funder ESRC Region London
University of Kent Details for University of Kent	122	£32m	BBSRC	South East
Award value £32m Main funder BBSRC Region South East
Jaguar Land Rover Limited Details for Jaguar Land Rover Limited	5	£32m	APC	West Midlands
Award value £32m Main funder APC Region West Midlands
Institute of Cancer Research Details for Institute of Cancer Research	56	£31m	MRC	Unknown
Award value £31m Main funder MRC Region Unknown
University of Aberdeen Details for University of Aberdeen	147	£31m	MRC	Scotland
Award value £31m Main funder MRC Region Scotland
Boeing United Kingdom Limited Details for Boeing United Kingdom Limited	2	£30m	ATI	London
Award value £30m Main funder ATI Region London
University of Ulster Details for University of Ulster	66	£30m	AHRC	Northern Ireland
Award value £30m Main funder AHRC Region Northern Ireland
Babraham Institute Details for Babraham Institute	28	£29m	BBSRC	Unknown
Award value £29m Main funder BBSRC Region Unknown
Aston University Details for Aston University	106	£29m	EPSRC	West Midlands
Award value £29m Main funder EPSRC Region West Midlands
Vertical Aerospace Group Ltd Details for Vertical Aerospace Group Ltd	3	£28m	ATI	South West
Award value £28m Main funder ATI Region South West
University of Stirling Details for University of Stirling	88	£28m	ESRC	Scotland
Award value £28m Main funder ESRC Region Scotland
Queen's University of Belfast Details for Queen's University of Belfast	20	£28m	ATI	Unknown
Award value £28m Main funder ATI Region Unknown
Npl Management Limited Details for Npl Management Limited	20	£27m	Innovate UK	London
Award value £27m Main funder Innovate UK Region London
The Open University Details for The Open University	111	£26m	STFC	South East
Award value £26m Main funder STFC Region South East
Science and Technology Facilities Council Details for Science and Technology Facilities Council	23	£26m	SPF	South West
Award value £26m Main funder SPF Region South West
UK Power Networks (Operations) Limited Details for UK Power Networks (Operations) Limited	3	£25m	Innovate UK	London
Award value £25m Main funder Innovate UK Region London
Aberystwyth University Details for Aberystwyth University	85	£25m	BBSRC	Wales
Award value £25m Main funder BBSRC Region Wales
University of Huddersfield Details for University of Huddersfield	42	£25m	EPSRC	Yorkshire and The Humber
Award value £25m Main funder EPSRC Region Yorkshire and The Humber
Sruc Details for Sruc	8	£24m	Innovate UK	Scotland
Award value £24m Main funder Innovate UK Region Scotland
Safran Electrical & Power UK Ltd Details for Safran Electrical & Power UK Ltd	2	£23m	Innovate UK	South East
Award value £23m Main funder Innovate UK Region South East
University of Portsmouth Details for University of Portsmouth	93	£23m	BBSRC	South East
Award value £23m Main funder BBSRC Region South East
Earlham Institute Details for Earlham Institute	22	£22m	BBSRC	East of England
Award value £22m Main funder BBSRC Region East of England
Oxford Brookes University Details for Oxford Brookes University	21	£21m	ESRC	South East
Award value £21m Main funder ESRC Region South East
Bibby Marine Services Limited Details for Bibby Marine Services Limited	1	£20m	Innovate UK	North West
Award value £20m Main funder Innovate UK Region North West
Zeroavia Ltd Details for Zeroavia Ltd	3	£20m	ATI	South West
Award value £20m Main funder ATI Region South West
Portsmouth City Council Details for Portsmouth City Council	1	£20m	Innovate UK	South East
Award value £20m Main funder Innovate UK Region South East
Sheffield Hallam University Details for Sheffield Hallam University	37	£20m	ESRC	Unknown
Award value £20m Main funder ESRC Region Unknown
Goodrich Controls Holding Limited Details for Goodrich Controls Holding Limited	2	£19m	ATI	West Midlands
Award value £19m Main funder ATI Region West Midlands
Manchester Metropolitan University Details for Manchester Metropolitan University	87	£18m	Horizon Europe Guarantee	North West
Award value £18m Main funder Horizon Europe Guarantee Region North West
Lucideon Group Limited Details for Lucideon Group Limited	1	£18m	Innovate UK	West Midlands
Award value £18m Main funder Innovate UK Region West Midlands
Brunel University London Details for Brunel University London	101	£18m	EPSRC	London
Award value £18m Main funder EPSRC Region London
Plymouth Marine Laboratory Details for Plymouth Marine Laboratory	17	£18m	NERC	South West
Award value £18m Main funder NERC Region South West
Niab. Details for Niab.	1	£18m	Innovate UK	East of England
Award value £18m Main funder Innovate UK Region East of England
University of Plymouth Details for University of Plymouth	75	£18m	NERC	South West
Award value £18m Main funder NERC Region South West
Yasa Limited Details for Yasa Limited	2	£18m	APC	South East
Award value £18m Main funder APC Region South East
Ncc Operations Limited Details for Ncc Operations Limited	3	£17m	DBT	South West
Award value £17m Main funder DBT Region South West
Orbital Marine Power Limited Details for Orbital Marine Power Limited	2	£17m	Horizon Europe Guarantee	Scotland
Award value £17m Main funder Horizon Europe Guarantee Region Scotland
University of Hull Details for University of Hull	53	£17m	MRC	Yorkshire and The Humber
Award value £17m Main funder MRC Region Yorkshire and The Humber
Newcastle University Details for Newcastle University	1	£17m	ISCF	North East
Award value £17m Main funder ISCF Region North East
Honeywell UK Limited Details for Honeywell UK Limited	3	£16m	Innovate UK	South East
Award value £16m Main funder Innovate UK Region South East
Institute for Fiscal Studies Details for Institute for Fiscal Studies	7	£16m	ESRC	London
Award value £16m Main funder ESRC Region London
Centre for Process Innovation Limited Details for Centre for Process Innovation Limited	6	£15m	Innovate UK	North East
Award value £15m Main funder Innovate UK Region North East
Royal Veterinary College Details for Royal Veterinary College	37	£15m	BBSRC	London
Award value £15m Main funder BBSRC Region London
City St George’s, University of London Details for City St George’s, University of London	38	£15m	MRC	London
Award value £15m Main funder MRC Region London
The University of Manchester Details for The University of Manchester	44	£15m	Horizon Europe Guarantee	Unknown
Award value £15m Main funder Horizon Europe Guarantee Region Unknown
Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Limited Details for Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Limited	1	£15m	APC	North East
Award value £15m Main funder APC Region North East
James Hutton Institute Details for James Hutton Institute	18	£14m	BBSRC	Unknown
Award value £14m Main funder BBSRC Region Unknown
Birmingham City University Details for Birmingham City University	42	£14m	AHRC	West Midlands
Award value £14m Main funder AHRC Region West Midlands
Safran Landing Systems UK Ltd Details for Safran Landing Systems UK Ltd	2	£14m	ATI	South West
Award value £14m Main funder ATI Region South West
Bangor University Details for Bangor University	87	£14m	NERC	Wales
Award value £14m Main funder NERC Region Wales
Nottingham Trent University Details for Nottingham Trent University	65	£14m	EPSRC	East Midlands
Award value £14m Main funder EPSRC Region East Midlands
Liverpool John Moores University Details for Liverpool John Moores University	38	£13m	EPSRC	North West
Award value £13m Main funder EPSRC Region North West
Sp Transmission Plc Details for Sp Transmission Plc	3	£13m	Innovate UK	Scotland
Award value £13m Main funder Innovate UK Region Scotland
Renishaw P L C Details for Renishaw P L C	1	£13m	ATI	South West
Award value £13m Main funder ATI Region South West
Coventry University Details for Coventry University	33	£12m	Horizon Europe Guarantee	Unknown
Award value £12m Main funder Horizon Europe Guarantee Region Unknown
University of Lincoln Details for University of Lincoln	46	£12m	EPSRC	East Midlands
Award value £12m Main funder EPSRC Region East Midlands
Birkbeck, University of London Details for Birkbeck, University of London	63	£12m	MRC	Unknown
Award value £12m Main funder MRC Region Unknown
Mercedes Amg High Performance Powertrains Limited Details for Mercedes Amg High Performance Powertrains Limited	1	£12m	Innovate UK	East Midlands
Award value £12m Main funder Innovate UK Region East Midlands
Perkins Engines Company Limited Details for Perkins Engines Company Limited	1	£11m	APC	East of England
Award value £11m Main funder APC Region East of England
University of the West of England Details for University of the West of England	28	£11m	BBSRC	South West
Award value £11m Main funder BBSRC Region South West
Scottish Association for Marine Science Details for Scottish Association for Marine Science	17	£11m	NERC	Scotland
Award value £11m Main funder NERC Region Scotland
University of Hertfordshire Details for University of Hertfordshire	33	£11m	STFC	Unknown
Award value £11m Main funder STFC Region Unknown
University of the West of Scotland Details for University of the West of Scotland	29	£11m	ISPF	Unknown
Award value £11m Main funder ISPF Region Unknown
National Grid Electricity System Operator Limited Details for National Grid Electricity System Operator Limited	1	£10m	Innovate UK	South East
Award value £10m Main funder Innovate UK Region South East
Alloyed Limited Details for Alloyed Limited	4	£10m	ATI	South East
Award value £10m Main funder ATI Region South East
University of Brighton Details for University of Brighton	64	£10m	EPSRC	South East
Award value £10m Main funder EPSRC Region South East
Intelligent Energy Limited Details for Intelligent Energy Limited	1	£10m	Innovate UK	East Midlands
Award value £10m Main funder Innovate UK Region East Midlands
Goldsmiths, University of London Details for Goldsmiths, University of London	45	£10m	Infrastructure Fund	London
Award value £10m Main funder Infrastructure Fund Region London
Keele University Details for Keele University	36	£10m	MRC	West Midlands
Award value £10m Main funder MRC Region West Midlands
Natural History Museum Details for Natural History Museum	15	£9m	ISPF	London
Award value £9m Main funder ISPF Region London
Collins River Enterprises Limited Details for Collins River Enterprises Limited	1	£9m	Innovate UK	London
Award value £9m Main funder Innovate UK Region London
Teesside University Details for Teesside University	36	£9m	Innovate UK	North East
Award value £9m Main funder Innovate UK Region North East
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited Details for Aston Martin Lagonda Limited	1	£9m	APC	West Midlands
Award value £9m Main funder APC Region West Midlands
St George's University of London Details for St George's University of London	13	£9m	MRC	London
Award value £9m Main funder MRC Region London
National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc Details for National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc	1	£9m	Innovate UK	London
Award value £9m Main funder Innovate UK Region London
SOAS University of London Details for SOAS University of London	22	£8m	AHRC	Unknown
Award value £8m Main funder AHRC Region Unknown
Met Office Details for Met Office	17	£8m	Horizon Europe Guarantee	South West
Award value £8m Main funder Horizon Europe Guarantee Region South West
Sp Manweb Plc Details for Sp Manweb Plc	1	£8m	Innovate UK	North West
Award value £8m Main funder Innovate UK Region North West
Ford Technologies Limited Details for Ford Technologies Limited	1	£8m	APC	East of England
Award value £8m Main funder APC Region East of England
The University of Essex Details for The University of Essex	51	£8m	Innovate UK	Unknown
Award value £8m Main funder Innovate UK Region Unknown
NHS Norfolk & Suffolk Icb Details for NHS Norfolk & Suffolk Icb	1	£8m	Innovate UK	East of England
Award value £8m Main funder Innovate UK Region East of England
NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board Details for NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board	1	£8m	Innovate UK	West Midlands
Award value £8m Main funder Innovate UK Region West Midlands
Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Icb Details for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Icb	1	£8m	Innovate UK	East Midlands
Award value £8m Main funder Innovate UK Region East Midlands
Public Health Wales Details for Public Health Wales	1	£8m	Innovate UK	Wales
Award value £8m Main funder Innovate UK Region Wales
European Bioinformatics Institute Details for European Bioinformatics Institute	14	£8m	BBSRC	Unknown
Award value £8m Main funder BBSRC Region Unknown
University of Westminster Details for University of Westminster	35	£8m	AHRC	Unknown
Award value £8m Main funder AHRC Region Unknown
Wellcome Sanger Institute Details for Wellcome Sanger Institute	6	£8m	MRC	East of England
Award value £8m Main funder MRC Region East of England
Phinia Delphi UK Ltd Details for Phinia Delphi UK Ltd	2	£8m	APC	South West
Award value £8m Main funder APC Region South West
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Details for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	3	£8m	MRC	Unknown
Award value £8m Main funder MRC Region Unknown
Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership Details for Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership	1	£8m	Innovate UK	Scotland
Award value £8m Main funder Innovate UK Region Scotland
University of Bradford Details for University of Bradford	19	£8m	UKRI FLF	Yorkshire and The Humber
Award value £8m Main funder UKRI FLF Region Yorkshire and The Humber
Institute of Development Studies Details for Institute of Development Studies	9	£8m	UKRI FLF	Unknown
Award value £8m Main funder UKRI FLF Region Unknown
De Montfort University Details for De Montfort University	29	£8m	Ayrton Fund	East Midlands
Award value £8m Main funder Ayrton Fund Region East Midlands
Health & Social Care Partnership North Lanarkshire Details for Health & Social Care Partnership North Lanarkshire	1	£8m	Innovate UK	Scotland
Award value £8m Main funder Innovate UK Region Scotland
NHS Birmingham and Solihull and Black Country ICBs Details for NHS Birmingham and Solihull and Black Country ICBs	1	£7m	Innovate UK	West Midlands
Award value £7m Main funder Innovate UK Region West Midlands
Cnh Industrial N.v. Details for Cnh Industrial N.v.	1	£7m	APC	London
Award value £7m Main funder APC Region London
Short Brothers Plc Details for Short Brothers Plc	4	£7m	ATI	Unknown
Award value £7m Main funder ATI Region Unknown
Strategic Planning and Performance Group, Department of Health Details for Strategic Planning and Performance Group, Department of Health	1	£7m	Innovate UK	Northern Ireland
Award value £7m Main funder Innovate UK Region Northern Ireland
University of Salford Details for University of Salford	26	£7m	Horizon Europe Guarantee	Unknown
Award value £7m Main funder Horizon Europe Guarantee Region Unknown
UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Details for UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology	15	£7m	Horizon Europe Guarantee	South East
Award value £7m Main funder Horizon Europe Guarantee Region South East
Moredun Research Institute Details for Moredun Research Institute	9	£7m	BBSRC	Scotland
Award value £7m Main funder BBSRC Region Scotland
Medical Research Council Details for Medical Research Council	10	£7m	MRC	South West
Award value £7m Main funder MRC Region South West
National Grid Electricity Distribution Plc Details for National Grid Electricity Distribution Plc	2	£7m	Innovate UK	South West
Award value £7m Main funder Innovate UK Region South West
Royal College of Art Details for Royal College of Art	23	£7m	EPSRC	London
Award value £7m Main funder EPSRC Region London
Edinburgh Napier University Details for Edinburgh Napier University	32	£7m	ESRC	Unknown
Award value £7m Main funder ESRC Region Unknown
Bramble Energy Limited Details for Bramble Energy Limited	2	£7m	APC	South East
Award value £7m Main funder APC Region South East
National Physical Laboratory Details for National Physical Laboratory	8	£7m	UKRI FLF	Unknown
Award value £7m Main funder UKRI FLF Region Unknown
University of Greenwich Details for University of Greenwich	29	£6m	ESRC	London
Award value £6m Main funder ESRC Region London
Bamford Bus Company Limited Details for Bamford Bus Company Limited	1	£6m	APC	South East
Award value £6m Main funder APC Region South East
Abertay University Details for Abertay University	4	£6m	Infrastructure Fund	Unknown
Award value £6m Main funder Infrastructure Fund Region Unknown
Tidal Transit Limited Details for Tidal Transit Limited	1	£6m	Innovate UK	East of England
Award value £6m Main funder Innovate UK Region East of England
A & P Falmouth Limited Details for A & P Falmouth Limited	1	£6m	Innovate UK	North East
Award value £6m Main funder Innovate UK Region North East
Northern Powergrid (Northeast) Limited Details for Northern Powergrid (Northeast) Limited	1	£6m	Innovate UK	North East
Award value £6m Main funder Innovate UK Region North East
Tt Electronics Power Solutions (UK) Limited Details for Tt Electronics Power Solutions (UK) Limited	1	£6m	ATI	South East
Award value £6m Main funder ATI Region South East
Ge Aviation Systems Limited Details for Ge Aviation Systems Limited	1	£6m	Horizon Europe Guarantee	South West
Award value £6m Main funder Horizon Europe Guarantee Region South West
Wales & West Utilities Limited Details for Wales & West Utilities Limited	1	£6m	Innovate UK	Wales
Award value £6m Main funder Innovate UK Region Wales
Treat-Nmd Services Ltd Details for Treat-Nmd Services Ltd	1	£6m	Horizon Europe Guarantee	Unknown
Award value £6m Main funder Horizon Europe Guarantee Region Unknown
Edge Hill University Details for Edge Hill University	13	£6m	AHRC	Unknown
Award value £6m Main funder AHRC Region Unknown
Gordon Murray Group Limited Details for Gordon Murray Group Limited	1	£6m	APC	South East
Award value £6m Main funder APC Region South East
Ionic Technologies International Limited Details for Ionic Technologies International Limited	1	£6m	Innovate UK	East Midlands
Award value £6m Main funder Innovate UK Region East Midlands
Protean Electric Limited Details for Protean Electric Limited	1	£6m	APC	South East
Award value £6m Main funder APC Region South East
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution Plc Details for Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution Plc	1	£5m	Innovate UK	Scotland
Award value £5m Main funder Innovate UK Region Scotland
Wayland Additive Limited Details for Wayland Additive Limited	2	£5m	Innovate UK	Yorkshire and The Humber
Award value £5m Main funder Innovate UK Region Yorkshire and The Humber
UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Details for UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)	1	£5m	EPSRC	Unknown
Award value £5m Main funder EPSRC Region Unknown
Anglia Ruskin University Details for Anglia Ruskin University	18	£5m	AHRC	East of England
Award value £5m Main funder AHRC Region East of England
University of London Details for University of London	14	£5m	AHRC	London
Award value £5m Main funder AHRC Region London
University of Sunderland Details for University of Sunderland	11	£5m	MRC	Unknown
Award value £5m Main funder MRC Region Unknown
Wcmc Details for Wcmc	11	£5m	Horizon Europe Guarantee	East of England
Award value £5m Main funder Horizon Europe Guarantee Region East of England
National Inst of Agricultural Botany Details for National Inst of Agricultural Botany	3	£5m	ISCF	Unknown
Award value £5m Main funder ISCF Region Unknown

Award value is the whole value of each grant over its life, counted against the lead organisation even where partners share it. It includes awards UKRI administers for others, such as the Horizon Europe guarantee.

Applications to UKRI and awards, by lead organisation, 2015-16 to 2025-26 (organisations with at least 100 applications)
Lead organisation	Applications decided	Awards	Award rate	Most awards from
University College London Details for University College London	6,863	2,183	31.8%	MRC
Awards 2,183 Award rate 31.8% Most awards from MRC
Cambridge University Details for Cambridge University	5,199	1,733	33.3%	MRC
Awards 1,733 Award rate 33.3% Most awards from MRC
Imperial College London Details for Imperial College London	5,154	1,522	29.5%	EPSRC
Awards 1,522 Award rate 29.5% Most awards from EPSRC
Oxford University Details for Oxford University	5,080	2,014	39.6%	MRC
Awards 2,014 Award rate 39.6% Most awards from MRC
Edinburgh University Details for Edinburgh University	4,586	1,614	35.2%	BBSRC
Awards 1,614 Award rate 35.2% Most awards from BBSRC
King'S College London Details for King'S College London	4,126	1,154	28.0%	MRC
Awards 1,154 Award rate 28.0% Most awards from MRC
Manchester University Details for Manchester University	3,981	1,579	39.7%	EPSRC
Awards 1,579 Award rate 39.7% Most awards from EPSRC
Bristol University Details for Bristol University	3,495	1,208	34.6%	EPSRC
Awards 1,208 Award rate 34.6% Most awards from EPSRC
Birmingham University Details for Birmingham University	3,294	1,081	32.8%	EPSRC
Awards 1,081 Award rate 32.8% Most awards from EPSRC
Glasgow University Details for Glasgow University	3,282	1,043	31.8%	EPSRC
Awards 1,043 Award rate 31.8% Most awards from EPSRC
Sheffield University Details for Sheffield University	3,228	1,115	34.5%	EPSRC
Awards 1,115 Award rate 34.5% Most awards from EPSRC
Leeds University Details for Leeds University	3,175	1,248	39.3%	EPSRC
Awards 1,248 Award rate 39.3% Most awards from EPSRC
Exeter University Details for Exeter University	3,045	977	32.1%	NERC
Awards 977 Award rate 32.1% Most awards from NERC
Liverpool University Details for Liverpool University	2,784	929	33.4%	BBSRC
Awards 929 Award rate 33.4% Most awards from BBSRC
Nottingham University Details for Nottingham University	2,733	983	36.0%	EPSRC
Awards 983 Award rate 36.0% Most awards from EPSRC
Newcastle University Details for Newcastle University	2,540	770	30.3%	EPSRC
Awards 770 Award rate 30.3% Most awards from EPSRC
Queen Mary University Of London Details for Queen Mary University Of London	2,442	672	27.5%	EPSRC
Awards 672 Award rate 27.5% Most awards from EPSRC
Cardiff University Details for Cardiff University	2,345	710	30.3%	EPSRC
Awards 710 Award rate 30.3% Most awards from EPSRC
Southampton University Details for Southampton University	2,269	872	38.4%	EPSRC
Awards 872 Award rate 38.4% Most awards from EPSRC
Queen'S University Belfast Details for Queen'S University Belfast	2,003	644	32.2%	Innovate UK
Awards 644 Award rate 32.2% Most awards from Innovate UK
York University Details for York University	1,969	728	37.0%	EPSRC
Awards 728 Award rate 37.0% Most awards from EPSRC
Durham University Details for Durham University	1,740	614	35.3%	EPSRC
Awards 614 Award rate 35.3% Most awards from EPSRC
Lancaster University Details for Lancaster University	1,582	547	34.6%	EPSRC
Awards 547 Award rate 34.6% Most awards from EPSRC
Strathclyde University Details for Strathclyde University	1,486	512	34.5%	EPSRC
Awards 512 Award rate 34.5% Most awards from EPSRC
Surrey University Details for Surrey University	1,447	420	29.0%	EPSRC
Awards 420 Award rate 29.0% Most awards from EPSRC
Leicester University Details for Leicester University	1,445	447	30.9%	AHRC
Awards 447 Award rate 30.9% Most awards from AHRC
Bath University Details for Bath University	1,440	414	28.8%	EPSRC
Awards 414 Award rate 28.8% Most awards from EPSRC
Sussex University Details for Sussex University	1,301	365	28.1%	STFC
Awards 365 Award rate 28.1% Most awards from STFC
East Anglia University Details for East Anglia University	1,286	375	29.2%	NERC
Awards 375 Award rate 29.2% Most awards from NERC
Warwick University Details for Warwick University	1,259	841	66.8%	EPSRC
Awards 841 Award rate 66.8% Most awards from EPSRC
Loughborough University Details for Loughborough University	1,214	369	30.4%	EPSRC
Awards 369 Award rate 30.4% Most awards from EPSRC
London School Of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Details for London School Of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine	1,148	348	30.3%	MRC
Awards 348 Award rate 30.3% Most awards from MRC
Reading University Details for Reading University	1,135	397	35.0%	NERC
Awards 397 Award rate 35.0% Most awards from NERC
St Andrews University Details for St Andrews University	1,083	334	30.8%	EPSRC
Awards 334 Award rate 30.8% Most awards from EPSRC
Kent University Details for Kent University	991	297	30.0%	EPSRC
Awards 297 Award rate 30.0% Most awards from EPSRC
Heriot-Watt University Details for Heriot-Watt University	943	317	33.6%	EPSRC
Awards 317 Award rate 33.6% Most awards from EPSRC
Swansea University Details for Swansea University	939	280	29.8%	EPSRC
Awards 280 Award rate 29.8% Most awards from EPSRC
Aberdeen University Details for Aberdeen University	925	262	28.3%	BBSRC
Awards 262 Award rate 28.3% Most awards from BBSRC
Northumbria University Details for Northumbria University	917	224	24.4%	AHRC
Awards 224 Award rate 24.4% Most awards from AHRC
Essex University Details for Essex University	907	335	36.9%	Innovate UK
Awards 335 Award rate 36.9% Most awards from Innovate UK
Dundee University Details for Dundee University	831	263	31.6%	MRC
Awards 263 Award rate 31.6% Most awards from MRC
Royal Holloway University Of London Details for Royal Holloway University Of London	738	237	32.1%	AHRC
Awards 237 Award rate 32.1% Most awards from AHRC
Manchester Metropolitan University Details for Manchester Metropolitan University	737	257	34.9%	Innovate UK
Awards 257 Award rate 34.9% Most awards from Innovate UK
Aston University Details for Aston University	700	249	35.6%	Innovate UK
Awards 249 Award rate 35.6% Most awards from Innovate UK
Open University Details for Open University	690	193	28.0%	STFC
Awards 193 Award rate 28.0% Most awards from STFC
Brunel University London Details for Brunel University London	677	151	22.3%	EPSRC
Awards 151 Award rate 22.3% Most awards from EPSRC
Cranfield University Details for Cranfield University	672	223	33.2%	EPSRC
Awards 223 Award rate 33.2% Most awards from EPSRC
Plymouth University Details for Plymouth University	633	183	28.9%	NERC
Awards 183 Award rate 28.9% Most awards from NERC
London School Of Economics & Political Science Details for London School Of Economics & Political Science	587	232	39.5%	ESRC
Awards 232 Award rate 39.5% Most awards from ESRC
Stirling University Details for Stirling University	574	179	31.2%	AHRC
Awards 179 Award rate 31.2% Most awards from AHRC
Keele University Details for Keele University	536	142	26.5%	EPSRC
Awards 142 Award rate 26.5% Most awards from EPSRC
Coventry University Details for Coventry University	525	130	24.8%	AHRC
Awards 130 Award rate 24.8% Most awards from AHRC
Portsmouth University Details for Portsmouth University	516	160	31.0%	STFC
Awards 160 Award rate 31.0% Most awards from STFC
West Of England University Details for West Of England University	510	112	22.0%	ESRC
Awards 112 Award rate 22.0% Most awards from ESRC
Hull University Details for Hull University	492	132	26.8%	Innovate UK
Awards 132 Award rate 26.8% Most awards from Innovate UK
Liverpool John Moores University Details for Liverpool John Moores University	482	133	27.6%	STFC
Awards 133 Award rate 27.6% Most awards from STFC
Ulster University Details for Ulster University	481	152	31.6%	Innovate UK
Awards 152 Award rate 31.6% Most awards from Innovate UK
Lincoln University Details for Lincoln University	451	124	27.5%	Innovate UK
Awards 124 Award rate 27.5% Most awards from Innovate UK
Francis Crick Institute Details for Francis Crick Institute	451	336	74.5%	MRC
Awards 336 Award rate 74.5% Most awards from MRC
John Innes Centre Details for John Innes Centre	450	235	52.2%	BBSRC
Awards 235 Award rate 52.2% Most awards from BBSRC
Brighton University Details for Brighton University	432	159	36.8%	AHRC
Awards 159 Award rate 36.8% Most awards from AHRC
Nottingham Trent University Details for Nottingham Trent University	426	126	29.6%	Innovate UK
Awards 126 Award rate 29.6% Most awards from Innovate UK
Huddersfield University Details for Huddersfield University	423	159	37.6%	Innovate UK
Awards 159 Award rate 37.6% Most awards from Innovate UK
Bangor University Details for Bangor University	417	95	22.8%	NERC
Awards 95 Award rate 22.8% Most awards from NERC
City St George’S University Of London Details for City St George’S University Of London	411	92	22.4%	EPSRC
Awards 92 Award rate 22.4% Most awards from EPSRC
Aberystwyth University Details for Aberystwyth University	387	131	33.9%	BBSRC
Awards 131 Award rate 33.9% Most awards from BBSRC
Bournemouth University Details for Bournemouth University	369	81	22.0%	AHRC
Awards 81 Award rate 22.0% Most awards from AHRC
Liverpool School Of Tropical Medicine Details for Liverpool School Of Tropical Medicine	367	127	34.6%	MRC
Awards 127 Award rate 34.6% Most awards from MRC
Greenwich University Details for Greenwich University	350	87	24.9%	Innovate UK
Awards 87 Award rate 24.9% Most awards from Innovate UK
Hertfordshire University Details for Hertfordshire University	344	95	27.6%	STFC
Awards 95 Award rate 27.6% Most awards from STFC
Rothamsted Research Details for Rothamsted Research	339	148	43.7%	BBSRC
Awards 148 Award rate 43.7% Most awards from BBSRC
Oxford Brookes University Details for Oxford Brookes University	329	86	26.1%	Innovate UK
Awards 86 Award rate 26.1% Most awards from Innovate UK
Birkbeck University Of London Details for Birkbeck University Of London	321	118	36.8%	AHRC
Awards 118 Award rate 36.8% Most awards from AHRC
Birmingham City University Details for Birmingham City University	304	117	38.5%	Innovate UK
Awards 117 Award rate 38.5% Most awards from Innovate UK
De Montfort University Details for De Montfort University	300	82	27.3%	AHRC
Awards 82 Award rate 27.3% Most awards from AHRC
Sheffield Hallam University Details for Sheffield Hallam University	298	116	38.9%	Innovate UK
Awards 116 Award rate 38.9% Most awards from Innovate UK
British Geological Survey Details for British Geological Survey	295	105	35.6%	NERC
Awards 105 Award rate 35.6% Most awards from NERC
Bradford University Details for Bradford University	292	94	32.2%	Innovate UK
Awards 94 Award rate 32.2% Most awards from Innovate UK
Science & Technology Facilities Council Details for Science & Technology Facilities Council	287	89	31.0%	STFC
Awards 89 Award rate 31.0% Most awards from STFC
Goldsmiths University Of London Details for Goldsmiths University Of London	282	76	27.0%	AHRC
Awards 76 Award rate 27.0% Most awards from AHRC
Lancashire University Details for Lancashire University	274	66	24.1%	STFC
Awards 66 Award rate 24.1% Most awards from STFC
Salford University Details for Salford University	273	87	31.9%	Innovate UK
Awards 87 Award rate 31.9% Most awards from Innovate UK
British Antarctic Survey Details for British Antarctic Survey	272	97	35.7%	NERC
Awards 97 Award rate 35.7% Most awards from NERC
Pirbright Institute Details for Pirbright Institute	247	133	53.8%	BBSRC
Awards 133 Award rate 53.8% Most awards from BBSRC
National Institute Of Agricultural Botany Details for National Institute Of Agricultural Botany	244	120	49.2%	BBSRC
Awards 120 Award rate 49.2% Most awards from BBSRC
Middlesex University Details for Middlesex University	238	53	22.3%	EPSRC
Awards 53 Award rate 22.3% Most awards from EPSRC
Teesside University Details for Teesside University	237	108	45.6%	Innovate UK
Awards 108 Award rate 45.6% Most awards from Innovate UK
Quadram Institute Bioscience Details for Quadram Institute Bioscience	236	116	49.2%	BBSRC
Awards 116 Award rate 49.2% Most awards from BBSRC
Westminster University Details for Westminster University	228	62	27.2%	AHRC
Awards 62 Award rate 27.2% Most awards from AHRC
Edinburgh Napier University Details for Edinburgh Napier University	227	56	24.7%	Innovate UK
Awards 56 Award rate 24.7% Most awards from Innovate UK
St George'S University Of London Details for St George'S University Of London	224	38	17.0%	MRC
Awards 38 Award rate 17.0% Most awards from MRC
Arts London University Details for Arts London University	217	76	35.0%	AHRC
Awards 76 Award rate 35.0% Most awards from AHRC
London South Bank University Details for London South Bank University	209	41	19.6%	Innovate UK
Awards 41 Award rate 19.6% Most awards from Innovate UK
West Of Scotland University Details for West Of Scotland University	204	107	52.5%	Innovate UK
Awards 107 Award rate 52.5% Most awards from Innovate UK
Soas University Of London Details for Soas University Of London	201	77	38.3%	AHRC
Awards 77 Award rate 38.3% Most awards from AHRC
Anglia Ruskin University Details for Anglia Ruskin University	199	46	23.1%	Innovate UK
Awards 46 Award rate 23.1% Most awards from Innovate UK
Babraham Institute Details for Babraham Institute	199	119	59.8%	BBSRC
Awards 119 Award rate 59.8% Most awards from BBSRC
Leeds Beckett University Details for Leeds Beckett University	192	80	41.7%	Innovate UK
Awards 80 Award rate 41.7% Most awards from Innovate UK
Earlham Institute Details for Earlham Institute	191	107	56.0%	BBSRC
Awards 107 Award rate 56.0% Most awards from BBSRC
National Oceanography Centre Details for National Oceanography Centre	189	71	37.6%	NERC
Awards 71 Award rate 37.6% Most awards from NERC
Institute Of Cancer Research Details for Institute Of Cancer Research	187	61	32.6%	MRC
Awards 61 Award rate 32.6% Most awards from MRC
Centre For Ecology & Hydrology Details for Centre For Ecology & Hydrology	185	76	41.1%	NERC
Awards 76 Award rate 41.1% Most awards from NERC
Robert Gordon University Details for Robert Gordon University	183	67	36.6%	Innovate UK
Awards 67 Award rate 36.6% Most awards from Innovate UK
Kingston University Details for Kingston University	180	40	22.2%	AHRC
Awards 40 Award rate 22.2% Most awards from AHRC
Derby University Details for Derby University	180	70	38.9%	Innovate UK
Awards 70 Award rate 38.9% Most awards from Innovate UK
James Hutton Institute Details for James Hutton Institute	180	65	36.1%	BBSRC
Awards 65 Award rate 36.1% Most awards from BBSRC
Wolverhampton University Details for Wolverhampton University	179	61	34.1%	Innovate UK
Awards 61 Award rate 34.1% Most awards from Innovate UK
Nerc Ceh (Up To 30.11.2019) Details for Nerc Ceh (Up To 30.11.2019)	178	64	36.0%	NERC
Awards 64 Award rate 36.0% Most awards from NERC
Scotland'S Rural College Details for Scotland'S Rural College	168	38	22.6%	BBSRC
Awards 38 Award rate 22.6% Most awards from BBSRC
Royal College Of Art Details for Royal College Of Art	160	59	36.9%	AHRC
Awards 59 Award rate 36.9% Most awards from AHRC
Roehampton University Details for Roehampton University	156	35	22.4%	AHRC
Awards 35 Award rate 22.4% Most awards from AHRC
Institute Of Development Studies Details for Institute Of Development Studies	152	46	30.3%	ESRC
Awards 46 Award rate 30.3% Most awards from ESRC
Noc (Up To 31.10.2019) Details for Noc (Up To 31.10.2019)	151	62	41.1%	NERC
Awards 62 Award rate 41.1% Most awards from NERC
Edge Hill University Details for Edge Hill University	149	45	30.2%	Innovate UK
Awards 45 Award rate 30.2% Most awards from Innovate UK
Scottish Association For Marine Science Details for Scottish Association For Marine Science	138	41	29.7%	NERC
Awards 41 Award rate 29.7% Most awards from NERC
Plymouth Marine Laboratory Details for Plymouth Marine Laboratory	138	47	34.1%	NERC
Awards 47 Award rate 34.1% Most awards from NERC
European Bioinformatics Institute Details for European Bioinformatics Institute	136	66	48.5%	BBSRC
Awards 66 Award rate 48.5% Most awards from BBSRC
Bath Spa University Details for Bath Spa University	126	38	30.2%	AHRC
Awards 38 Award rate 30.2% Most awards from AHRC
East London University Details for East London University	123	31	25.2%	Innovate UK
Awards 31 Award rate 25.2% Most awards from Innovate UK
Staffordshire University Details for Staffordshire University	113	37	32.7%	Innovate UK
Awards 37 Award rate 32.7% Most awards from Innovate UK
London University Details for London University	113	39	34.5%	AHRC
Awards 39 Award rate 34.5% Most awards from AHRC
Glasgow Caledonian University Details for Glasgow Caledonian University	112	35	31.3%	Innovate UK
Awards 35 Award rate 31.3% Most awards from Innovate UK
Wellcome Sanger Institute Details for Wellcome Sanger Institute	105	33	31.4%	MRC
Awards 33 Award rate 31.4% Most awards from MRC
Harper Adams University Details for Harper Adams University	104	37	35.6%	BBSRC
Awards 37 Award rate 35.6% Most awards from BBSRC
West London University Details for West London University	100	31	31.0%	Innovate UK
Awards 31 Award rate 31.0% Most awards from Innovate UK

Source: UK Research and Innovation, Gateway to Research: active projects, exported 2026-09-29, published 29 September 2026; UK Research and Innovation, UKRI investments and outputs data, April 2015 to March 2026, published 16 July 2026.

The people it pays for

Staff and researchers, latest published
Who	Number	When
People named on active UKRI awards Details for People named on active UKRI awards	32,045	2025-26
When 2025-26
Active UKRI doctoral studentships Details for Active UKRI doctoral studentships	26,595	2024-25
When 2024-25
UKRI staff (institutes, facilities, head office), FTE Details for UKRI staff (institutes, facilities, head office), FTE	8,551	31 March 2026
When 31 March 2026
ARIA staff, FTE Details for ARIA staff, FTE	82	31 March 2026
When 31 March 2026

People named on active UKRI awards, and active UKRI studentships

Counts of people, not full-time equivalents. The number of researchers in UK universities comes from HESA, whose files could not be read for this page.

The numbers behind this chart

People named on active UKRI awards, and active UKRI studentships (People)
Year	People named on active awards	Active doctoral studentships
2015-16 Details for 2015-16	26,612	26,326
Active doctoral studentships 26,326
2016-17 Details for 2016-17	26,959	26,993
Active doctoral studentships 26,993
2017-18 Details for 2017-18	27,634	28,361
Active doctoral studentships 28,361
2018-19 Details for 2018-19	28,705	29,409
Active doctoral studentships 29,409
2019-20 Details for 2019-20	28,820	29,039
Active doctoral studentships 29,039
2020-21 Details for 2020-21	31,040	29,206
Active doctoral studentships 29,206
2021-22 Details for 2021-22	32,577	29,762
Active doctoral studentships 29,762
2022-23 Details for 2022-23	32,083	28,182
Active doctoral studentships 28,182
2023-24 Details for 2023-24	31,359	27,513
Active doctoral studentships 27,513
2024-25 Details for 2024-25	31,220	26,595
Active doctoral studentships 26,595
2025-26 Details for 2025-26	32,045	—
Active doctoral studentships —

Figure as of 16 July 2026. Source: UK Research and Innovation.

Major programmes and the department’s plans

The science department’s R&D budget plans by organisation, £ million (plans, not spending)
Organisation or programme	2025-26	2026-27	2027-28	2028-29	2029-30
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Details for UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)	£8.8bn	£9.2bn	£9.6bn	£9.8bn	£10.0bn
2026-27 £9.2bn 2027-28 £9.6bn 2028-29 £9.8bn 2029-30 £10.0bn
UK contribution to EU programmes Details for UK contribution to EU programmes	£2.7bn	£2.1bn	£2.2bn	£2.2bn	£2.2bn
2026-27 £2.1bn 2027-28 £2.2bn 2028-29 £2.2bn 2029-30 £2.2bn
UK Space Agency Details for UK Space Agency	£668m	£679m	£693m	£706m	£720m
2026-27 £679m 2027-28 £693m 2028-29 £706m 2029-30 £720m
Met Office Details for Met Office	£310m	£327m	£456m	£337m	£347m
2026-27 £327m 2027-28 £456m 2028-29 £337m 2029-30 £347m
Advanced Research & Invention Agency (ARIA) Details for Advanced Research & Invention Agency (ARIA)	£184m	£220m	£300m	£300m	£400m
2026-27 £220m 2027-28 £300m 2028-29 £300m 2029-30 £400m
National Academies Details for National Academies	£217m	£219m	£226m	£230m	£235m
2026-27 £219m 2027-28 £226m 2028-29 £230m 2029-30 £235m
Office for Life Sciences Details for Office for Life Sciences	£129m	£264m	£286m	£229m	£146m
2026-27 £264m 2027-28 £286m 2028-29 £229m 2029-30 £146m
National Measurement System Details for National Measurement System	£130m	£131m	£139m	£143m	£145m
2026-27 £131m 2027-28 £139m 2028-29 £143m 2029-30 £145m
AI Security Institute (AISI) Details for AI Security Institute (AISI)	£66m	£60m	£60m	£60m	£60m
2026-27 £60m 2027-28 £60m 2028-29 £60m 2029-30 £60m

Published by DSIT in October 2025. On 22 July 2026 DSIT's functions were redistributed across other departments. The Department for Business and Trade was renamed the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST), covering science and innovation from foundational research to scaling up firms (UKRI's budget explainer now names BIST as the department that allocated its budget); AI strategy and the AI Security Institute moved to the Cabinet Office; the Government Digital Service and telecoms moved to an expanded Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. (Cabinet Office, Machinery of Government changes: fact sheet.)

UKRI spending against its budget lines (outturn), £ million
Budget line	2022-23	2023-24	2024-25	2025-26
UK Research Base Details for UK Research Base	6,784	7,045	7,231	7,458
2023-24 7,045 2024-25 7,231 2025-26 7,458
R&D Other Details for R&D Other	486	555	525	126
2023-24 555 2024-25 525 2025-26 126
Core Innovation Details for Core Innovation	676	839	940	937
2023-24 839 2024-25 940 2025-26 937
DSIT Managed Programmes Details for DSIT Managed Programmes	447	151	276	300
2023-24 151 2024-25 276 2025-26 300
EU Programmes Details for EU Programmes	531	359	457	488
2023-24 359 2024-25 457 2025-26 488
Total Allocation Details for Total Allocation	9,517	9,573	10,126	9,819
2023-24 9,573 2024-25 10,126 2025-26 9,819

Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA). Net spending of £152m in the year to 31 March 2026 (£31m the year before), of which £129m on R&D programmes, with 82 staff (FTE). Annual report and accounts.
Horizon Europe and Copernicus. The UK paid £1.1bn in 2023-24 and £1.2bn in 2024-25 to associate (ONS). The UK associated to Horizon Europe and Copernicus from 1 January 2024 under a bespoke agreement: no payment for the years UK researchers were excluded (2021 to 2023), and a new automatic clawback that compensates the UK if UK participants receive significantly less than the UK pays in. The UK did not associate to Euratom and set up its own fusion programme instead, backed by up to £650 million to 2027. Prime Minister's Office and DSIT, UK joins Horizon Europe under a new bespoke deal, 7 September 2023.

The science department’s projects in the Government Major Projects Portfolio, March 2026
Project	Whole-life cost	Delivery confidence
Project Gigabit (digital, not R&D) Details for Project Gigabit (digital, not R&D)	£5.2bn	Not published
Delivery confidence Not published
Met Office Supercomputer Programme Details for Met Office Supercomputer Programme	£1.2bn	Not published
Delivery confidence Not published
MATRIX CLUSTER TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME (digital, not R&D) Details for MATRIX CLUSTER TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME (digital, not R&D)	£890m	Not published
Delivery confidence Not published
GOV.UK One Login (digital, not R&D) Details for GOV.UK One Login (digital, not R&D)	£709m	Amber
Delivery confidence Amber
Shared Rural Network (digital, not R&D) Details for Shared Rural Network (digital, not R&D)	£328m	Not published
Delivery confidence Not published

Costs in 2024-25 prices, as the portfolio publishes them. DSIT’s portfolio mixed science and digital projects; only the Met Office supercomputer is an R&D programme. Every major project, across government.

Source: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, DSIT research and development plans to 2029 to 2030, published 30 October 2025; UK Research and Innovation, UKRI annual report and accounts 2025-26; Advanced Research and Invention Agency, ARIA annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, published 15 July 2026; Office for National Statistics, Research and development expenditure by the UK government, 2024-25, published 17 April 2026; National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, NISTA Major Projects Annual Report 2025-26.

What these figures do and don't show

Four measures, never added together. HM Treasury’s R&D by function (the long-run chart and the top of the drill-down), ONS’s R&D by funding body, ONS’s R&D across the whole economy (calendar years) and UKRI’s award decisions (commitments spread over several years) count different things and do not match.
Plans are not spending. Council budgets, the department’s plans to 2029-30 and UKRI’s 2026-27 priority budgets are allocations. They are kept apart from outturn.
UKRI does not publish spending by council. Council budgets and award values are the nearest published figures. From 2026-27 UKRI budgets by priority, so council figures stop being comparable.
Where an award is counted is not where its benefit falls. Awards are counted where the lead organisation is; partners elsewhere share many of them. Nation figures from HM Treasury are identifiable spending only, and nations do not add up to the UK.
No local level. No public body publishes R&D spending by council area. The lowest published levels are the English region and the lead organisation.
Researcher numbers are partial. HESA’s staff data could not be read, so people named on UKRI awards stand in for researchers. Awards and people are shown beside the money, not as what it bought.
Machinery of government. Science moved from BIS to BEIS (2016), to DSIT (2023) and, in July 2026, to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. Department lines change name at each move; ONS’s totals carry across them.
Price bases. Real terms use HM Treasury’s GDP deflator in the price base stated. Other figures are cash.

Figures from data/services/science.json, generated 29 September 2026.

Use this data

The figures belong to the bodies that published them and are used under their terms, listed in Sources for this page; most are Crown copyright under the Open Government Licence. Only our own words, analysis, charts and derived calculations are ours, published under CC BY 4.0: reuse them, including commercially, if you credit Tekstak Ltd and link back to this page.

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Source	Publisher	Figures as of	Updated	Licence
PESA 2026: chapters 4 and 5 tables	HM Treasury	16 July 2026	annual	Open Government Licence v3.0
PESA 2021: chapter 4 and 5 tables	HM Treasury	—	annual	Open Government Licence v3.0
PESA 2016: chapter 4 and 5 tables	HM Treasury	—	annual	Open Government Licence v3.0
PESA 2011: chapter 4 and 5 tables	HM Treasury	—	annual	Open Government Licence v3.0
Gross domestic expenditure on research and development, UK: 2024	Office for National Statistics	—	annual	Open Government Licence v3.0
UKRI investments and outputs data, April 2015 to March 2026	UK Research and Innovation	16 July 2026	annual	Open Government Licence v3.0
Research and development expenditure by the UK government, 2024-25	Office for National Statistics	17 April 2026	annual	Open Government Licence v3.0

Each source's figures are used under the licence shown. Our own words, analysis, charts and derived calculations are ours, under CC BY 4.0.

Over the longest run published: cash, real terms and per head

What the R&D money is for

Who pays for it

Government’s part in all UK R&D

Where the money goes, level by level

United Kingdom

Government R&D by funding body (ONS measure)

Civil departments and devolved governments

Higher education funding bodies (one per nation)

Ministry of Defence

International programmes (Horizon Europe and EU)

England

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

Search the department's payments over £25,000

UK Research and Innovation, council by council

From 2026-27: budgets by priority, not by council

Where it goes: nations and regions

Who receives it: universities, institutes and companies

The people it pays for

Major programmes and the department’s plans

What these figures do and don't show

Use this data

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