UK science funding is currently facing a profound crisis, particularly for Life Sciences. Medical Research Council and BBSRC have paused researcher-led grant applications until the Spring, with no… | Paula Salgado | 14 comments

UK science funding is currently facing a profound crisis, particularly for Life Sciences. Medical Research Council and BBSRC have paused researcher-led grant applications until the Spring, with no clear details when or how they'll reopen. It means that research funding in the Life Sciences will not happen this year since a 6 month pause in applications, which is currently the best case scenario, means no evaluation would be concluded in 2026. Projects will halt, staff will lose their jobs without renewed funding, knowledge will be lost, impactful research will not be completed. And yet, there is a deafening silence - no outcry, it hasn't even made any regional or national news outlets, no outrage, no public solidarity across the scientific community, nationally or internationally. We are perhaps too stunned to do something... We need to challenge this, just like in 2010 when the Government suggested 25% cuts to the science budget. With no prior indication and very limited information, our scientific communities are confused, in panic and have had no time to prepare or plan for this funding crisis. Researcher-led science is the driving force of innovation and growth, focusing on Government-defined priorities risks future science impact and discovery. As always, we need to make our voices heard: Science is Vital! Sources: https://lnkd.in/eEQ7_mCN https://lnkd.in/eM_AUBcy https://lnkd.in/eNCWhGMR | 14 comments on LinkedIn