UKRI Funding Flows: Interactive Explorer
UKRI Funding Flows 2026–2030
Interactive Strategy Explorer
Source: UKRI Strategy
Analysis of Funding Streams
This visualization allows you to explore the UKRI strategy from two perspectives. Use the "Breakdown By" toggle to switch between an academic subject view and an institutional destination view.
Option A: By Subject Discipline (CAH2)
This view maps the money to research topics. It is useful for understanding the balance between broad fields like Engineering versus Arts & Humanities. The deepest level uses the Common Aggregation Hierarchy Level 2 (CAH2). (Note: Level 3 CAH data is too granular for this visualization).
- Key Insight: Notice the massive concentration of funding in Physics & Astronomy (red nodes). This is heavily inflated by international facility subscriptions (CERN, ESO), masking the squeeze on actual research grants.
Option B: By Institution / Recipient
This view maps the money to the organizations that actually receive the bank transfers. This reveals the "Golden Triangle" dominance and the role of the private sector.
- Universities: We isolate the top 6 recipients (Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial, Edinburgh, Manchester) to show the concentration of "Curiosity" and "Talent" funding.
- Industry: Notice the green "Innovation" stream flows almost entirely to the Private Sector via Innovate UK, bypassing universities.
Data Sources & Methodology
This Sankey diagram is a forecast model based on the UKRI 2026–2030 strategy announcements and historical statistical patterns.
1. The Financial Envelope (£38.6bn)
Derived from the UKRI Chief Executive's open letter.
[@chapman2026] Chapman, I. (2026). Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community. UKRI.
2. Subject Modelling (CAH2)
Estimated using HESA "Research Grants and Contracts" income data by cost centre.
[@hesa2024] HESA. (2024). HE Finance Record 2023/24.
3. Institutional Modelling
Allocations to universities are projected based on 2023/24 market share of UKRI income. "Private Sector" flows are estimated based on Innovate UK's historical business-led grant ratio (~75%).