UK may lose a generation of scientists after research cuts

UK research funders have announced cuts to physics grants and shelved several large infrastructure projects, and hundreds of early-career researchers warn the changes could push many to take posts overseas.

UK research funders have announced reductions to physics grants and have put several large infrastructure projects on hold. Some grants are reported as being cut by nearly a third, and project leaders have been asked to assess how their work would fare under deeper cuts. The Science and Technology Facilities Council is reported to need £162m in savings by 2030 after rising operating costs and international subscription costs. More than 500 researchers have written an open letter warning that current uncertainty risks losing a generation of scientists. Key facts: - UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) announced reprioritisation affecting physics grants and facilities. - Some physics grants are reported to face reductions near one-third, with project leads asked to model impacts for possible cuts up to 60%. - Plans for four large infrastructure projects were shelved to save over £250m, including an upgrade at CERN and a proposed electron–ion collider developed with US partners. - More than 500 early-career researchers signed an open letter saying uncertainty and delayed career pathways are leading many to seek positions overseas. Summary: Researchers and institutions are reported to face reduced capacity in parts of fundamental physics and astronomy, and early-career staff describe an increasingly constrained job market. Project leaders have been asked to report back on how their research would fare under larger cuts, STFC has a stated savings target to 2030, and further decisions and any government response were reported as pending.