Committee explores impact of scientific research cost pressures
Following reports that the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is facing significant cost pressures, the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee will hold a one-off evidence session exploring scientific research funding.
In January, it was reported that STFC planned to reduce its spending by £162 million by 2029-30, with cuts expected to both current and future funding programmes.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Medical Research Council have also paused some funding programmes as they transition to new grant-award processes.
Meeting details
In the first panel, the cross-party committee will hear from researchers about STFC financial pressures, the withdrawal of funding from CERN’s Large Hadron Collider upgrade and the impact of funding changes on early career researchers.
In the second panel, MPs will question Professor Michele Dougherty, Executive Chair of STFC about the council’s financial position and its plans to deliver savings.