Astronomy and Nuclear Physics: Finance

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) supports particle physics, astronomy, and nuclear physics (PPAN) via the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) PPAN programme. STFC spending on the PPAN programme was £198 million in 2023/24 and £199 million in 2025/26. These figures reflect direct programme funding; further investment is delivered through international subscriptions and infrastructure, which are managed separately.

More broadly, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has committed a record £58.5 billion investment in R&D over the next 4 years, including £38.6 billion for UKRI. STFC’s core budget is being maintained, rising from £835 million in 2025/26 to £842 million in 2029/30. Applicant-led research grants will increase from £83 million in 2026/27 to £90 million in 2029/30.

STFC faces cost pressures from rising energy, inflation, foreign exchange, and ambitious commitments from the previous SR and must find savings relative to forecast operational costs. STFC has worked with the sector to model different spending scenarios for its PPAN portfolio. The impacts of different modelled scenarios across the broad and diverse range of STFC-funded facilities and programmes will be considered alongside feedback from the sector to inform final decisions.

DSIT has asked UKRI to ensure that its specific investment decisions are informed by meaningful consultation with the scientific research community and a robust assessment of potential consequences for the UK’s scientific capability, research institutions and international standing.