Each of the Research Councils has a scientific vision or strategic plan which sets out the Councils overarching research aspirations and priorities. These can be accessed at:
Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC)
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
These research strategies are developed through extensive consultation with the academic community, and with a wide range of users and stakeholders including relevant Government Departments, industry, the wider public sector and also the public itself.
The Government's 10 year Science and Innovation Investment Framework emphasises the importance of investing across the whole spectrum of research from basic, curiosity driven research to strategic and applied research, directly targeted at specific social and economic issues and goals.
The key to a successful and productive research base is flexibility and maintaining a healthy balance between bottom-up responsive research and top-down strategic direction. Achieving an appropriate balance is a primary role of the Research Councils working with the Office of Science and Innovation (OSI). In a dynamic research base, research goals and priorities must and will change in response to new knowledge, new technologies and new strategic economic and social needs. Working with OSI through the Spending Review process, the Councils continually review and balance their funding between directed and non-directed research, as well as between research, training, infrastructure and knowledge transfer, whilst ensuring the strength of the research base in all key disciplines.