Committee publication · Correspondence · 22 April 2026

Correspondence from, Dr Simon J. Williams, Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology, University of Durham, re: Briefing: STFC Astronomy Grants - The Numbers, 18 March 2026

From: Science, Innovation and Technology Committee

Summary

Dr Simon J. Williams of Durham's Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology submits data from the Astronomy Grants Panel Chair's February 2026 report showing that STFC astronomy postdoc funding has contracted sharply. New postdoctoral positions funded fell 72% from FY 24/25 to FY 26/27 (from ~80 to 22.5 RIA-years), with allocation dropping from £12.4m to £3.7m. Grant delays of 6–19 months and paused schemes compound a cash budget decline against rising per-postdoc costs of 5–7% annually.

Key findings

New RIA-years funded nationally collapsed 72% year-on-year (FY 24/25 to FY 26/27): from ~80 to 22.5, largely due to slipped grant start dates of 6–19 months.
New grant allocation fell 70% to £3.7m; Small Awards success rate dropped from 31% to 19%; 10 of 26 research organisations submitting 4+ proposals received zero Small Award funding.
Per-postdoc costs rose 5–7% annually (median £166k in 2025 vs £147k in 2023), creating a 'declining-cash squeeze against rising costs' rather than a flat freeze.
Large Awards scheme paused for 2026; AGP Chair notes 18–19 month delays between submission and award start are unsustainable as a longer-term approach.
No recovery plan exists: STFC's June consultation contains no scenario restoring funding to previous levels, unlike the 2010 crisis which recovered within one year.

Tone

Critical

Topics

research-fundinghigher-educationastronomypublic-finance

Key actors

Dr Simon J. Williams, Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology, University of Durham, Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Mark Sullivan, Astronomy Grants Panel Chair, Science Minister

Notable line

“This is not a flat-cash squeeze; it is a declining-cash squeeze against rising costs.”

Key Quotes

“The Science Minister and the UKRI CEO have repeatedly assured Parliament that curiosity- driven research is protected and that its funding is growing in cash terms.”
— Dr Simon J. Williams · Opening statement contrasting ministerial claims with actual funding data

“The 22.5 new RIA-years figure is not a typo . It results from slipped grant start dates: 2025 Small Awards delayed by 6 months, Large Awards by 12 months.”
— Dr Simon J. Williams · Explaining the dramatic drop in funded postdoctoral positions

“The AGP Chair notes that slipped starts now produce an 18–19 month delay between submission and award start, and that this is not supported by the panel as a longer-term approach.”
— Dr Simon J. Williams · Citing Astronomy Grants Panel's position on unsustainable delays

“Unlike the previous funding crisis around 2010, when the drop to fewer than 60 new RIAs lasted a single year before recovering, there is no recovery plan on the table.”
— Dr Simon J. Williams · Comparing current crisis to 2010 and noting absence of recovery strategy

View original document →

Source · parliament.uk record ↗