Research Councils UK (RCUK) has today (21st March) has published a new report detailing plans to drive efficiency in research funding.
Over the last few months the Research Councils have been considering their response to the Wakeham Review. Over the same period, the economic climate has been rapidly evolving and, as part of the December budget allocation announcements, there are political expectations that substantial savings will be made. The Research Councils, together as RCUK, have therefore been considering in detail how to implement the efficiency savings recommended in the Wakeham Report as well as achieve the required additional savings whilst ensuring the sustainability of the research base.
This new report, Efficiency 2011-15: Ensuring Excellence with Impact, sets out how the Research Councils intend to make these savings. These plans have been put together in order to protect research as a vital resource for the future.
Collectively across the entire research community – in HEIs, institutes as well as research and funding councils – it must be demonstrated that savings have been achieved in order to achieve greater efficiency for the investment of public money. All of the funds saved will remain within the ring fence to be reinvested in science and research.
The report, Efficiency 2011-15: Ensuring Excellence with Impact, which details the plans, is available here 
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Further information
Contact:
Alexandra Saxon
Head of Communications
Tel: 01793 444474
Email: alexandra.saxon@rcuk.ac.uk
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).