RCUK Capital Investment Roadmap: Shaping UK Research Infrastructure

The Research Councils UK (RCUK), now part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), played a crucial role in shaping the UK’s research landscape through strategic capital investment. The RCUK Capital Investment Roadmap, spanning various iterations, aimed to prioritize and coordinate investment in research infrastructure, from scientific equipment and facilities to digital resources, ensuring the UK remained a global leader in research and innovation.

The roadmap’s primary objective was to identify strategic gaps and opportunities within the UK’s research infrastructure portfolio. This involved a comprehensive assessment of existing facilities, future research needs, and the potential for international collaboration. The process relied heavily on input from the research community, industry, and government stakeholders through workshops, surveys, and expert panels. This participatory approach ensured that the roadmap reflected the diverse needs of the UK’s research base.

A key element of the roadmap was the identification of strategic themes and priorities. These typically encompassed areas of national importance such as advanced materials, energy, healthcare, and digital technologies. Within each theme, the roadmap outlined specific infrastructure requirements, including the type of equipment, scale of investment, and potential impact on research outcomes. The roadmap also considered the long-term sustainability of infrastructure, including operating costs, training requirements, and the need for regular upgrades and maintenance.

The RCUK Capital Investment Roadmap informed the allocation of substantial funding from government sources, including the Large Facilities Capital Fund (LFCF). By providing a clear and evidence-based investment framework, the roadmap helped to ensure that funding was directed towards projects with the greatest potential to deliver significant scientific and societal benefits. It also fostered collaboration between different research institutions and disciplines, promoting the efficient use of resources and preventing duplication of effort.

Beyond funding allocation, the roadmap served as a valuable tool for advocating for research infrastructure investment at the national and international level. It provided a compelling narrative for the importance of research infrastructure in driving economic growth, improving public health, and addressing global challenges. The roadmap also facilitated international collaboration by identifying opportunities for joint investment in large-scale facilities and research programs.

While the RCUK as an entity no longer exists, its legacy through UKRI continues. The principles and processes established by the RCUK Capital Investment Roadmap remain highly relevant to the ongoing development of research infrastructure in the UK. The roadmap’s emphasis on strategic prioritization, stakeholder engagement, and long-term sustainability continues to guide UKRI’s investment decisions, ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of global research and innovation for years to come.