Signals that UK foreign office will lead on aid-funded R&D

Foreign office chief scientific adviser outlines R&D spending across government under upcoming international development strategy

The government appears to be planning a rebalance of how international aid is spent on R&D, with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office accounting for a larger share of spending than previously.

The move could see less money for international development channelled through the UK’s public research funder, UK Research and Innovation, and comes after Research Professional News revealed that the government is scrapping its flagship development research funds, which were largely administered through UKRI.