Research Councils UK: Excellence with Impact

Research Councils UK (RCUK) already invests in the highest quality research as judged by peer review. Excellence with impact is central to the research that we fund and this is reflected in the excellence of the UK research environment. Within the UK the quality of research output is top internationally in many fields in terms of citations per paper and per pound invested. We also excel in the degree of cross disciplinary and collaborative research being carried out, the infrastructure available to researchers as well as the translation of research to the needs of society such as evidence for policy-making.

Figures quoted this morning, by Business Secretary Vince Cable, on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme misleadingly suggested that 45% of research in the UK was not of an excellent standard. The figure quoted was derived from the recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) which found that 87% of the research activity is of international quality with 54% being classified as either “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”.

The Research Councils will continue to work together, as RCUK, to fund only the highest quality research, as judged by peer review.

Examples of Research Council funded research that have brought benefits to the UK’s economy and wellbeing can be found at www.rcuk.ac.uk/Publications/policy/framework/Pages/home.aspx

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Further information

Contact:
Jane Wakefield
RCUK Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592

Notes to editors

• Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. We invest annually around £3 billion in research. Our focus is on excellence with impact. We nurture the highest quality research, as judged by international peer review providing the UK with a competitive advantage. Global research requires we sustain a diversity of funding approaches, fostering international collaborations, and providing access to the best facilities and infrastructure, and locating skilled researchers in stimulating environments. Our research achieves impact – the demonstrable contribution to society and the economy made by knowledge and skilled people. To deliver impact, researchers and businesses need to engage and collaborate with the public, business, government and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk

  The seven UK Research Councils are:

  • Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
  • Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
  • Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
  • Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
  • Medical Research Council (MRC);
  • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
  • Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

• Further information about the RAE can be found at: http://www.rae.ac.uk/