Russell Group response to Research England funding budgets 2022-25

14 July 2022

In response to the confirmation of Research England’s funding budgets for 2022-2025, Stephanie Smith, Head of Policy (Research and International) at the Russell Group, said:

"Research England’s funding allocation for universities recognises the breadth of excellent research taking place across the country and its vital contribution to our economy and society. We particularly welcome the stable allocations over the spending review period which give the sector much needed certainty, and the boost to schemes proven to deliver returns, like the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).

"The increase in quality-related (QR) funding will allow universities to plan long term and pursue high-risk high-reward discovery research – which underpinned breakthroughs in graphene, genomics, and laid the foundations to develop the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine in a matter of months. However, despite this increase, its value has declined in real terms over the past decade.

"Research England has delivered a good outcome for universities within its funding envelope. But as we face up to long-term challenges like Net Zero, it's vital that the Government builds on this with an ambitious plan to boost investment in R&D that will deliver more world-class research and power future economic growth."

Notes

The value of QR funding declined by 22% in real terms between 2010/11 and 2020/21.