What is UKRI and how is it funded?

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the main public funder of research and innovation in the UK. It was launched in April 2018 as a non-departmental public body and brings together seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK, its about page says. The councils are AHRC, BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC and STFC.

UKRI is funded by government. The government's R&D plans allocate it £9.2 billion in 2026/27, rising to nearly £10.0 billion in 2029/30, or £38.6 billion over four years. UKRI's budget page explains how the Secretary of State sets its overall allocation and the split between councils.

UKRI's website, updated in August 2026, names the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade as its sponsor department; earlier documents refer to DSIT.

Official sources: UKRI: about UK Research and Innovation · UKRI: our budget · DSIT: R&D plans to 2029/2030

When is the next figure out?

The monthly receipts bulletin is published at 7am on the 15th working day of each month (the 16th if the 15th falls on a Monday), the same day and time as the ONS Public sector finances release. The next monthly release is due on 21 October 2026. Most other HMRC statistics are annual, with dates pre-announced on the GOV.UK release calendar and changes listed on HMRC's schedule of updates. Overseas trade in goods statistics follow the uktradeinfo release calendar, with the next due on 15 October 2026.

Every official release due in the next two weeks is on the release calendar.

Where the figures come from

• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) official statistics
  Find HMRC monthly tax receipts and NICs, annual receipts, income tax liabilities, the tax gap, personal incomes and UK trade data, and how to read them.

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This answer says where the official figures are published and how they are defined. It gives no verdict on any claim. To report an error, send a correction request. More questions about science, research and space: all Science, research and space questions.