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UK’s £8bn research fund faces ‘hard decisions’ as it pauses new grants
According to Ian Chapman, the head of UKRI, the organization has been instructed by the government to prioritize its efforts and concentrate on a smaller number of key initiatives in order to achieve greater effectiveness.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the public body responsible for allocating £8bn in taxpayer funds for research and innovation annually, is facing tough decisions on future project funding, according to its chief.

In a letter, UKRI's Ian Chapman stated that the government has instructed the organization to prioritize quality over quantity, which will inevitably lead to some projects being rejected.
This shift in approach marks a significant overhaul of how Britain's scientific research and innovation are funded and prioritized, sparking concerns among researchers.
Although the changes are still being finalized, Chapman anticipates that they will be fully implemented by April 2027.
During a subsequent briefing, Chapman declined to elaborate on the criteria for selecting future research projects.
However, he noted that the overall research budget is expected to increase, with a greater emphasis on commercial applications.
Funding for "curiosity-driven" research, an area where the UK excels, will remain at current levels, which effectively means a decrease in real terms over time.
Examples of such research include studies on blood clot detection, plastic-eating enzymes, and infant learning patterns.
Chapman acknowledged that making choices about funding means some projects will be left out, but he believes that not making these choices would ultimately harm everyone involved.
UKRI comprises eight research councils, each focusing on various disciplines, including medicine and biotechnology.
One of these councils, the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC), oversees research in areas like astronomy, computational science, and nuclear physics.
The STFC is responsible for the UK's membership in international organizations like Cern and the European Space Agency, and it operates some of the world's largest telescopes, but it has been tasked with finding £162m in savings.
According to STFC's executive chair, Michele Dougherty, the council's ambitions exceeded its funding, leading to the need for cuts.
Dougherty assured that there are no plans to withdraw from existing international commitments.
She also indicated that it is too early to determine whether the council will fund new projects in the near future, but if it does, it would likely come at the expense of current projects.
Other research councils have also suspended grants for new research initiatives.
Professor Chris Lintott of Oxford University noted that the UK has a strong track record in scientific impact and space-related industries.
Lintott expressed concern that the funding changes could undermine this success story and threaten the stability of cutting-edge science.
The changes have also affected Innovate UK, which provides grants and guidance to small and medium-sized businesses.
The BBC has learned that local business advisors have been let go, and remaining staff have been instructed not to take on new clients, including science and tech businesses seeking funding and support.
Chapman stated that in the past, Innovate UK has supported thousands of start-ups with small amounts of funding.
The organization is now shifting its focus to supporting fewer companies with more substantial backing.
Although Chapman did not disclose the selection criteria for these companies, he emphasized that they would receive more support due to the reduced number of recipients.
In the commercial sector, approximately 75% of businesses that receive private funding from venture capitalists ultimately fail.
Identifying successful ventures early on is notoriously challenging.
Stephen Tulip, UK manager of the App Association, criticized the decision to reduce budgets and staffing for SME support at Innovate UK, arguing that it contradicts the needs of the domestic start-up and entrepreneur community.
Tulip warned that cutting access to expertise and funding for UK SMEs would harm the country's growth agenda and force start-ups to seek investment and support elsewhere.
Mike Griffin, founder of a sustainable 3D printing company that received support from Innovate UK, shared similar concerns.
Griffin emphasized that early-stage backing is crucial for small companies, serving as a bridge to market, and that shifting support toward larger, later-stage companies would put many innovative ventures at risk.
Without sufficient support, many practical and life-changing innovations may not survive long enough to scale up and reach their full potential.
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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role
Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.
Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.
Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.
Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.
As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.
Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.
Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.
According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.
Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.
Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.
Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.
Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.
The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.
Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.
Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.
Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.
Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.
If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.
For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.
News
Peter Murrell faces allegations of misusing £459,000 in funds over 12 years
Allegations have been made that he bought various items, such as luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome, in an improper manner.
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, is facing allegations of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

An indictment document obtained by BBC News outlines the case against Murrell, who is the estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The alleged embezzlement is said to have occurred between August 2010 and January 2023, according to the indictment.
It is claimed that Murrell used party funds to purchase luxury items, including jewellery, cosmetics, and vehicles, such as two cars and a motorhome.
The Scottish Sun was the first to report on the details of the indictment.
A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, 20 February, where Murrell is expected to appear.
During his initial court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Murrell made no plea and was subsequently granted bail.
Murrell's arrest in 2023 was part of Operation Branchform, a police investigation into the SNP's funding and finances, which led to him being charged with embezzlement in April 2024.

Although Sturgeon was questioned by police as part of the investigation, she is no longer considered a suspect.
BBC News has obtained a copy of the indictment against Murrell ahead of his upcoming court appearance.
It is worth noting that the indictment is subject to change until the case is heard in court and may be amended throughout the judicial process.
The indictment alleges that Murrell purchased a £124,550 motorhome for personal use and created false documents to justify the expense as a legitimate party expenditure.
Murrell is also accused of using £57,500 of party funds to buy a Jaguar I-PACE car in 2019, and falsifying an invoice to conceal the true nature of the purchase.
Furthermore, it is alleged that when the Jaguar was sold in 2021, Murrell deposited more than £47,000 into his personal bank account.
The indictment also claims that Murrell embezzled £16,489 from the SNP to partially fund the purchase of a Volkswagen Golf in 2016.
A list of over 80 retailers is included in the indictment, where Murrell allegedly made purchases totalling more than £159,000 between 2014 and 2022, using party credit or charge cards for personal expenses.
The retailers named in the indictment include Harrods, the Royal Mint, John Lewis, Homebase, and Argos, among others.
It is alleged that Murrell used SNP credit or charge cards to make these purchases and then inserted false or inaccurate accounting codes and descriptions into the party's accounting systems.
The indictment also accuses Murrell of making purchases worth over £81,600 through Amazon using the same method.
Murrell served as the SNP's chief executive for 22 years before his departure.
Murrell and Sturgeon were married in 2010, but announced their separation in January 2025, after being together for many years.
News
Bangladesh Nationalist Party Wins Landslide in Country’s First Poll Since Youth-Led Protests
The public is looking forward to a shift back to democratic governance, following a 15-year period of authoritarian leadership by Sheikh Hasina.
In a significant shift in the country's political landscape, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has achieved a decisive majority in parliament, 18 months after widespread protests led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, the country's longest-serving prime minister.

The BNP secured over two-thirds of the seats in the recent general election, with the Jamaat party, the main Islamist party in the country, coming in second; meanwhile, the Awami League, led by Hasina, was not allowed to participate in the election.
As the BNP's leader, Tarique Rahman is poised to become the next prime minister, facing significant challenges in revitalizing the economy and restoring democratic principles after 15 years of authoritarian rule under Hasina's leadership.
In a concurrent referendum, voters also expressed support for comprehensive democratic reforms, which are expected to shape the country's future.
Following Friday prayers in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to his supporters, stating, "I am grateful for the love you have shown me"; his party has chosen not to hold a victory procession.
Rahman, who was elected to parliament for the first time, was among the 212 successful BNP candidates; according to the Election Commission, voter turnout was 59.44%.
This marks a significant turnaround for Rahman, who spent 17 years in self-imposed exile in London before taking over as party leader after his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, passed away in December.
During his campaign, Rahman pledged to restore democratic principles and practices in the country.
The new government will need to address pressing issues, including economic revitalization, controlling rising food prices, and creating employment opportunities for the country's large youth population.
Rebuilding relations with neighboring India is also a key priority for the incoming government.
In the aftermath of his victory, Rahman received a congratulatory call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who acknowledged his "remarkable victory".
Modi took to social media to reaffirm India's commitment to promoting peace, progress, and prosperity in both countries, citing their deep historical and cultural ties.
Although the BNP has pledged to bring about change, the party has faced criticism in the past for corruption and alleged human rights abuses during its previous tenure in government in the early 2000s.
The recent election represents a pivotal moment for the country, with one of the two main parties achieving a significant victory, presenting both opportunities and risks.
Proposed constitutional reforms include introducing term limits for the prime minister, establishing a directly elected upper house of parliament, strengthening presidential powers, and increasing judicial independence.
The reforms also aim to increase female representation in parliament, an area where significant progress is still needed, as evidenced by the limited number of successful female candidates in the recent election.
As the newly elected leader, Tarique Rahman will face intense scrutiny as he works to deliver on his promises to a predominantly young electorate eager for change, many of whom participated in the student-led protests that ultimately led to Hasina's removal and paved the way for the February 12 election.
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