RCUK hosts meeting of heads of research councils from the G8

From 10 to 12 July Research Councils UK (RCUK) is hosting a meeting between the heads of research councils from the G8. Now in its thirtieth year, the meeting is an opportunity to discuss research policy, funding and international cooperation.

Discussions will cover recent trends in research and technology policy, access to research data, mobility of researchers, international cooperation activities and the G8 Research Councils Initiative on Multilateral Research Funding.

Professor Paul Boyle, RCUK International Champion said: “RCUK supports excellent research that has established the UK as a leading research nation. To ensure our research continues to have an impact on economic prosperity and social wellbeing it is essential we develop strong and lasting relationships with research colleagues around the world. This meeting affords an excellent opportunity to share knowledge and best practice, and help generate new ways of working more closely in partnership.”

The meeting of the heads of research councils from the G8 is an important part of maintaining productive relationships between the UK and it global partners. RCUK has established research teams in China, India and the US to help build stronger ties between UK researchers and their international colleagues

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Further information

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

Notes to editors

1. The G8 Research Councils Initiative on Multilateral Research Funding is the first time in history the research organisations from the across the G8 have joined forces to address major global challenges. It gives researchers an unprecedented opportunity to collaborate with one another across disciplines. A second funding call has just been announced and more information is available here.

   It is supported by:

   • The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
   • The French National Research Agency (ANR)
   • The German Foundation (DFG)
   • The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
   • The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR)
   • Research Councils UK (RCUK)
   • The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)

2. 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).