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UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) could soon ask universities to work more ¡°strategically¡± on its funding calls ¡°rather than having everyone bid into the same processes,¡± the organisation¡¯s new chief executive has indicated.

Speaking to journalists at a Science Media Centre briefing in London on 6 October, Ian Chapman explained that he was keen for the ?9 billion-a-year research funder to improve its ¡°strategic relationship¡± with the university sector, which he believed had ¡°developed a certain homogeneity¡± rather than institutional specialisation that would encourage disciplinary excellence.

That was partly because UKRI had adopted a ¡°somewhat tactical¡± approach in asking institutions to apply into grant funding calls rather than establishing a ¡°strategic relationship¡± in which excellence was identified and supported.

¡°We do not know where they are going to put their focus,¡± he said of UKRI¡¯s knowledge of where institutions were seeking to invest, adding that he would be seeking a ¡°less tactical¡± relationship and ¡°more partnerships¡­rather than everyone having to bid into the same processes¡±.

On why universities submit as many research grant applications as possible, Chapman continued: ¡°We¡¯ve put universities in the position where they have untenable risk profiles¡±, noting that the higher research application volumes were logical for institutions given the opportunity to win grant funding.

¡°We need a more long-term strategic partnership,¡± he said, noting that this could mean fewer but larger grants being awarded across the research landscape.

¡°I totally recognise the nature of this shift and what it will mean for some people,¡± said Chapman.

That shift towards fewer but larger grants would particularly affect UKRI¡¯s efforts to support high-potential research-driven businesses with the ¡°ability to make a global impact in their field¡±.

¡°We need to be more choiceful, more deliberate [in supporting] UK research that can genuinely dominate and help those companies which could have hundreds and hundreds of staff,¡± said Chapman, adding: ¡°There cannot be 5,000 high-growth companies that we support.¡±

¡°That¡¯s not just about saying AI either ¨C this is about sub-sectors. With quantum technology we cannot be the best in everything but are we the best in sensors, algorithms or cryo,¡± he explained.

Asked if his tenure as chief executive of UKRI would be defined by his efforts to ensure research supported the government¡¯s economic growth agenda, Chapman did not deny that this would be absolutely central during his time in office.

¡°We are here to make lives better in the UK and that means improving economic opportunities,¡± he said. ¡°This is one of the key things for this job ¨C are we tangibly improving the economic opportunities for our citizens.¡±

jack.grove@timeshighereducation.com