A more simplified process to apply for UK research funding has been announced as part of a Downing Street-led push to cut research bureaucracy.

In the latest initiative designed to reduce unnecessary paperwork for scientists, UK?Research and Innovation will trial streamlined application processes for researchers on two programmes ¨C a ?10?million New Horizons fund for projects in maths and physical science and a ?10?million Pushing the Frontiers fund that supports environmental scientists.

The move, announced on 11?February, follows last month¡¯s decision by UKRI to begin ¡°a?major review of research bureaucracy and methods¡±, which has already led it to remove ¡°unnecessary¡± sections of grant applications requiring researchers to predict the impact of their work.

The efficiency drive is widely viewed as a sign of the influence of Dominic Cummings, the prime minister¡¯s top adviser, who was urged to cut research bureaucracy at a round-table meeting with scientists held in Downing Street last August.

É«ºÐÖ±²¥

Announcing the latest UKRI changes, Chris Skidmore, the universities and science minister, said the government was ¡°getting on with the job of freeing up our scientists to do what they do best¡±.

¡°This government is committed to increasing research funding to record levels,¡± said Mr Skidmore, who added that the sector ¡°must revolutionise the way our research system works to make the UK the best place in the world for science and innovation¡±.

É«ºÐÖ±²¥

As part of the research bureaucracy review, the government will consult with world-leading scientists, researchers and academics.

Paul Gemmill, chief operating officer of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, who is leading this work across UKRI, said it would ¡°look for evidence of potential improvements to our processes, then act on this evidence to deliver change¡±.

In addition, the government has asked UKRI to pilot a relaxation of eligibility requirements for the new doctoral studentships to be funded from the Advanced Maths programme announced on 27?January.

jack.grove@timeshighereducation.com