Freedom of information (FOI) releases from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

This is a disclosure log of UK Research and Innovation's responses to freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) requests that might be of wider public interest.

If you can't find the information you're looking for, you can make a new FOI request.

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1,359 disclosures

  1. FOI2026/00046: Innovate UK Grant Data 2022-2025

    Request received: 22nd January 2026

    By application deadline date, for the each of the calendar years 2022; 2023; 2024; and 2025 can I please request: 
     
    1) The total amount (monetary value) of Innovate UK funding awarded through a competitive application process (ie. the awared through applications submitted on IFS or equivalent awards - ie. to specific individual projects (rather than budget within UKRI directly allocated to IUK Buiness Connect funding / Catapults etc). 
     
    2) The total number of competitions this was awarded through. 
     
    4) The average success rate of all competitions 
     
    3) The total number of competitions which were "invite-only" ie. had eligibility criteria such must have been invited to this competition, or soft eligibility criteria such as "We are not funding projects that: have not been invited by Innovate UK into this competition" - typically these are not advertised on the apply for funding IFS page, but are sent as individual links to the eligibale applicants. 
     
    4) The budget / total amount awarded to these "invite-only" competitions, and the average success rate for these competitions. 
     
    5) The budget / total amount awarded to the subset of competitions which were NOT invite-only (as defined in 3) and the average success rate for this (5) subset of competitions.

    Published: 1 April 2026

  2. FOI2026/00180: UKRI-1576 Employee Engagement Surveys contract

    Request received: 3rd March 2026

    Details in respect to the contract below.

    https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/79a48839-4729-4331-8a46-6ac3030b49a3

    The details we require are:

    What are the contractual performance KPI's for this contract?

    Actual spend on this contract/framework (and any sub lots), from the start of the contract to the current date

    Start date & duration of framework/contract?

    Could you please provide a copy of the service/product specification given to all bidders for when this contract was last advertised?

    Is there an extension clause in the framework(s)/contract(s) and, if so, the duration of the extension?

    Has a decision been made yet on whether the framework(s)/contract(s) are being either extended or renewed?

    Who is the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for this contract?

    Would the senior officer be open to a brief discussion on how their current people strategy / approach to employee engagement is going?

    Published: 30 March 2026

  3. FOI2025/01070: EPSRC CDT Contractual Framework

    Request received: 02 December 2025

    I would like to request copies of the following documents relating to the EPSRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Digital Media Inclusion, led by the University of Surrey and delivered jointly with Royal Holloway, University of London.

     

    1.     The full grant agreement (including all schedules and annexes) between UKRI/EPSRC and the University of Surrey for this CDT.

     

    2.     Any formal collaboration agreement, conditions of award, or memorandum of understanding that govern the relationship between UKRI and the University of Surrey for this CDT.

     

    3.     Any subsequent grant variations, amendments, or change notices issued by UKRI to the University of Surrey for this CDT.

     

    4.     Any governance requirements, programme expectations, or delivery conditions that UKRI has provided to the University of Surrey regarding this CDT.

    I am requesting these documents to better understand the structure, governance, and contractual expectations of the CDT programme.

    Published: 30 March 2026

  4. FOI2026/00025: EPSRC grant EP/Y022157/1

    Request received: 11th January 2026

     I would like to place a Freedom of Information (FOI) request regarding the following awarded EPSRC grant: 
    EPSRC Reference: EP/Y022157/1 
    Project title: Towards compact and efficient nuclear reactors 
    Lead Research Organisation: University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering 
    Funding period: Jun 24 - Jun 27 
    Project status: active 
     
    The information I am interested in is as follows: 
    • project spending totals and breakdown 
    • project milestone progress and status 
    • project outputs, e.g. conference talks, journal publications 
    • project learning outcomes 
    • time spent by the Principal Investigator on the project 
     
    I would like this information to be provided in the form of the regular update reports on research grant use that the University keeps and/or UKRI receive. I understand that any sensitive information will be excluded/redacted from these reports. 


    The requester later clarified on 23rd January 2026: 

    'Project learning outcomes' refers to: 

    Progress towards reduction of AC loss in high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes 

    Examples of progress would include learnings from manufacture and performance testing of such novel tapes 

    Since the project was initiated ~18 months ago, what has been learned regarding development of these novel tapes? Have steps been taken towards manufacture of a prototype tape for subsequent AC loss reduction verification tests? 

    In summary: what manufacturing stages and testing methods on a novel, reduced AC loss tape (NOT including study of standard commercial HTS tapes) have been conducted/completed during the project lifetime to date? 

    'Regular update reports' refers to: 

    Standard project management controls, whereby the funder and departmental management are regularly informed of project progress 

    Again, this information is requested for the duration of the project lifetime to date. 

    Published: 30 March 2026

  5. FOI2026/00162: NERC Senior Leadership Training Framework

    Request received: 26th February 2026

    Could you kindly provide information regarding the organisational training framework in place for the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) between 2019 and July 2022?

    Specifically, I am interested in the following:

    Was specific 'Neurodiversity Training' (distinct from generic EDI e-learning) mandatory or voluntary for senior leadership staff operating at the C-level (or equivalent executive board level)?

    If such specific neurodiversity training existed for this tier of management, please could you provide: a) The course title(s). b) The provider (whether developed internally or commissioned via an external specialist). c) A brief copy of the course syllabus, summary, or learning objectives.

    What was the statistical completion rate for this specific neurodiversity training module among staff at the C-level within NERC during this period?

    Please note, I am not requesting the personal training record of any specific individual, which I appreciate would be exempt under Section 40(2) of the Act. This request strictly concerns the organisational training policies, availability, and anonymised completion statistics for that specific management grade.

    Published: 26 March 2026

  6. FOI2026/00029: UKRI Expertise and Capacity in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)

    Request Received: 14 January 2026

    Please provide the following information regarding UKRI's (including its councils such as MRC and BBSRC) expertise, skills, and capacity in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) / non-animal alternatives, particularly in light of UKRI's role in funding biomedical and life sciences research, its new Policy on Research and Innovation Involving Animals (launched prior to 2026), and its contributions to the November 2025 “Replacing animals in science” strategy. UKRI funds a significant proportion of animal-based research (e.g., via MRC grants involving animals) while also supporting 3Rs/NAMs through NC3Rs and other mechanisms.

    To ensure a balanced and comprehensive response, please address both traditional animal methods expertise and NAMs/non-animal alternatives expertise.

    Details of current in-house expertise and skills within UKRI (across councils, funding panels, grant assessors, and policy staff) related to NAMs and non-animal alternatives in research funding and oversight.

    This includes:

    1. Approximate number of staff, panel members, or assessors with specialist knowledge or training in NAMs (e.g., in vitro assays, organ-on-a-chip/microphysiological systems, computational/in silico toxicology, AI/machine learning for predictive modelling, organoids, validated alternatives such as the Monocyte Activation Test for pyrogens, or integrated approaches like AOP/IATA).

    2. Any dedicated teams, roles, or working groups focused on NAMs/3Rs in grant review, funding decisions, or policy development.

    3. Comparison of expertise levels: proportion of funding decision-makers/assessors experienced primarily in traditional animal models vs. those with equivalent or greater expertise in NAMs/non-animal methods.

    4. Any internal assessments, reports, audits, gap analyses, training needs analyses, or reviews (from 2020 onwards) that identify deficiencies, skill gaps, capacity constraints, risks of bias toward animal methods, or challenges in UKRI's ability to:

    a. Fairly evaluate and prioritise NAMs proposals in funding competitions.

    b. Avoid or mitigate any institutional or panel-level preference/bias toward animal-based research over validated non-animal alternatives.

    c. Ensure robust scrutiny of the 3Rs (especially Replacement) in grant applications.

    5. Actions taken or currently planned by UKRI to address any identified gaps in NAMs expertise and capacity, promote balanced evaluation, and reduce reliance on animal methods.

    Please include:

    a. Training programmes, courses, workshops, or certifications provided or commissioned for staff, grant panel members, or reviewers (with dates and approximate numbers involved since November 2025 if possible).

    b. Recruitment, secondments, external hires, or partnerships (e.g., with NC3Rs, UKCVAM, MHRA, or charities) aimed at building NAMs capability and countering any pro-animal testing bias.

    c. Funding allocations, budget lines, or resources dedicated to upskilling in NAMs or to training in animal methods bias awareness.

    6. Any internal guidance, standard operating procedures, panel briefing materials, or metrics used to measure and improve capability in assessing NAMs proposals fairly, including safeguards against bias toward animal models.

    7. Progress against UKRI-specific commitments in the November 2025 “Replacing animals in science” strategy and related policies (e.g., embedding 3Rs more deeply in funding processes; sharing policy/implementation plans with other funders; prioritising human-relevant research; offering 3Rs training to PhD students and early-career researchers by end-2026; or joint funding with Wellcome/Innovate UK for human in vitro models announced in November 2025). Include details on how UKRI is measuring success in shifting toward NAMs expertise and uptake.

    Clarification of your request:

    Further clarification was received on the 5th and 9th February, and on 11th February you confirmed that your request had been revised as follows:

    • Questions 1 and 3 of your FOI request have been withdrawn

    • For Q2, provide information from June 2024

    • For Q4, additional context was provided: …as originally phrased, including on fair evaluation of NAMs proposals, bias risks toward animal methods, and 3Rs scrutiny

    • For Q5, additional context was provided: including training, recruitment/partnerships, funding for upskilling, etc.

    • For Q6, provide information from June 2024

    • For Q7, additional context was provided: e.g., embedding 3Rs in funding; sharing plans with other funders; prioritising human-relevant research; 3Rs training for PhD students/early-career researchers by end-2026; joint funding for human in vitro models

    • Confirmed that the request can focus on MRC and BBSRC

    An additional question was added to your request:

    8. I would also like information on this issue from the key decision makers for research funding that includes NAMs in the main UKRI body

    Published: 20 March 2026

  7. FOI2025/00054: Project 79327 application form

    Request received: 20 January 2025

    Project Reference 79327 was granted funding between September 2020 and June 2021.  The project manager was Duncan White, who at the time was Company Secretary and a director of Climate Solutions Exchange Ltd. 

     

    The company, which is located six miles south of Barnard Castle in County Durham, was formed on 20 January 2020 with two founding directors, Andrew Howard and Sir Edward Milbank, Bt.  Mr White was appointed on 17 April 2020 and was terminated as such on 30 April 2021.  Mr Howard was the company's project manager for a further successful grant in 2022.   I'm writing to ask if you hold:

     

    1.     the application form that was submitted for the first grant. I believe it would have been sent to you in the four months between May and August 2020. 

     

    2.     I would like to know the date when it was submitted and when it was approved.

     

    3.     I would also like to know if there were any supporting endorsements provided by third parties working in government departments or agencies or any reference made to such supporters in the application. I have in mind endorsements or support from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Defence, DEFRA, BEIS and the UK Space Agency in particular but not exclusively.

    Published: 19 March 2026

  8. FOI2026/00130: Global Counsel meetings and correspondences

    Request received: 17th February 2026

    1.A list of all meetings between the consultancy firm Global Counsel and directors or senior civil servants within the authority in the time period 1 January 2022–present. For each meeting, please also provide list of attendees full meeting minutes any related correspondences, written, by email or orally delivered (if recorded).

    2. All written correspondence between Global Counsel and directors or senior civil servants within the authority in the time period 1 January 2022–present. This includes letters and email.

    Published: 18 March 2026

  9. FOI2025/00992: EPSRC CDT “AI for Digital Media Inclusion” - EP/Y009746/1

    Request received: 05 November 2025

    Under the Freedom of Information Act, I am requesting documents and records relating to the EPSRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in “AI for Digital Media Inclusion,” grant reference EP/Y009746/1, Principal Investigator Adrian Hilton (University of Surrey).
    Specifically, I seek:

     

    1.     Grant award letter and funding agreements for EP/Y009746/1, including any documents that outline funding, deliverables, studentship allocation, and continuation conditions.

     

    2.      Formal collaboration agreements or contracts between the University of Surrey and Royal Holloway, University of London, as submitted to or held by UKRI for this CDT, including management/governance and intellectual property arrangements.

     

    3.      Studentship and funding terms: Full terms and conditions for CDT studentships, including allocation between the two universities, stipend/payment provisions, resource and research support arrangements.

    4.     Documentation about student support, supervision, and research resources available to CDT students at both universities, including provisions for ensuring parity of support and processes in line with UKRI/EPSRC requirements.

     

    5.     Policies, guidelines, or correspondence regarding the transfer of CDT students between University of Surrey and Royal Holloway (including mechanisms for transfer, impact on funding/studentship status, supervision, and student rights).

     

    6.     Any further documentation or correspondence specific to student rights, international student recruitment, and Responsible Innovation for this CDT since initial award.

    Published: 17 March 2026

  10. FOI2026/00118: Software Based Data Destruction Assurance

    Request received: 12th February 2026

    Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please provide the following recorded information held by your department (UKRI and BAS) regarding assurance processes for software-based data erasure of end-of-life IT equipment. 
     
    For clarity, this request relates solely to software-based data destruction. Please exclude physical destruction methods such as shredding, crushing, degaussing or disintegration. 
     
    1. Please confirm whether departmental policy, contractual terms or internal procedures require an explicit outcome-based warranty or guarantee confirming that personal data has been rendered irretrievable through software-based erasure, whether carried out internally or by an external provider. 
     
    2. Where software-based data destruction is performed internally, what recorded evidential assurance does the department rely upon to conclude that the final data state is irretrievable? 
     
    3. Where software-based data destruction is performed by a third party provider, does the department hold recorded information demonstrating that any warranty or assurance provided explicitly extends to the software erasure method used and its claimed effectiveness? If so, please confirm the recorded nature of that verification. 
     
    4. Where no explicit outcome-based warranty is required or provided, what recorded form of evidential assurance does the department rely upon to conclude that software-based erasure has rendered personal data irretrievable? 
     
    I am not requesting technical configuration detail, security sensitive information or supplier specific vulnerabilities. I am seeking confirmation of the assurance model relied upon for software-based data destruction. 

     

    Published: 11 March 2026