Morning, Monday, 12th October 2026
Online
This conference will consider next steps for UK research and innovation policy following the publication of the Post-16 Education & Skills White Paper - alongside reform to the public funding priorities of UK Research and Innovation, and the launch of the UK’s AI Strategy for UK Research and Innovation.
Strategy, growth & focus areas
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss how the UK higher education R&I system can remain globally-competitive, alongside alignment with government policy priorities including the growth and sectoral focus of the Modern Industrial Strategy and UKRI’s AI Research and Innovation Strategic Framework. We also expect discussion on frameworks going forward for collaboration and the future for specialisation and curiosity-driven research.
Following the launch of UKRI’s Local Innovation Partnerships Fund and reform to the administration of Higher Education Innovation Funding, delegates will consider the role of universities and innovation bodies in supporting innovation in society, knowledge exchange, and the commercialisation of new technology. We expect discussion on the targeting of support for spinouts, start-ups and scale-ups, delivering regional growth and growing high-potential innovation clusters, and supporting local skills and social value.
Funding frameworks
Planned sessions will assess questions of adequacy and sustainability of funding, in the context of Autumn Budget 2025 and Spending Review 2025 commitments, including the balance between quality-related research funding, competitive funding and place-based investment. Attendees will also consider implications for long-term institutional resilience of evolving and emerging priorities.
International collaboration & recruitment
Further sessions will examine next steps for UK-international research collaboration, as the European Commission continues to develop proposals for the tenth framework of Horizon Europe from 2027, with discussion on experiences since re-association, and the potential for further engagement.
The agenda will also consider workforce priorities, including supporting research careers, reducing bureaucracy, and attracting and securing international research talent, looking at mobility arrangements, visa routes, and the effectiveness of the UK’s global talent offer in a competitive international market, as well as expectations from UKRI’s AI strategy commitments to expanding doctoral and fellowship routes.
Overview of areas for discussion
- policy and strategic direction:
- emerging R&I vision set out in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper
- identifying key priorities in UKRI strategic reform - launch of the UKRI AI Strategy for UK Research and Innovation
- aligning with wider policy objectives in the Industrial Strategy and government mission-led priorities
- funding:
- adequacy and focus of funding commitments in the Spending Review 2025 and Autumn Budget 2025 - £500m R&D Missions Accelerator
- protecting Quality-Related and HEIF funding - evolving role of UKRI and its constituent funding bodies - quantifying economic impact of proposals - leveraging private funding
- academic research:
- implementation of emerging policy vision - priorities for allocation of new funding - advancing collaboration and specialisation
- balancing basic, curiosity-driven and mission-led research - potential impacts on the independence of university research
- partnerships:
- HEIF reform - developing Local Innovation Partnerships - developing new knowledge exchange partnerships
- supporting business-led innovation - establishing priorities for Innovate UK and the new Growth Catalyst programme
- developing spinouts, start-ups and scale-ups scaling innovation clusters
- international research:
- assessing UK re-affiliation to Horizon Europe - preparing for the tenth round of Horizon Europe - assessing the focus and value of new partnerships
- research workforce:
- assessing work of the Global Talent Taskforce and administering the Global Talent Fund - adapting to anticipated global talent visa changes
- identifying key priorities for domestic R&I workforce such as reducing bureaucracy and tackling workplace bullying - promoting diversity and inclusion
