The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is gravely concerned at the drastic cuts to support for UK astronomy outlined by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
In a letter from its Executive Chair, Professor Michele Dougherty, the research council indicates that the budget for particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics together will drop by around 30%. The letter also asks project teams to plan for scenarios where their funding is reduced by 20%, 40% and 60%.
RAS President Professor Mike Lockwood said: "This is the most drastic cut in support in a generation.
"I urge the Government to step in to stop what will be a catastrophe for science, deter young people from pursuing careers in discovery and innovation and remove any notion of the UK becoming a science superpower."
The latest news follows two rounds of consolidated grant awards from STFC, where the start of the grants were delayed by six months – leading to a gap in support – and enormous difficulties for postdoctoral researchers dependent on research council funding.
It also sits against a reported commitment by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to "curiosity-driven research" as a central plank of UK science policy.
Astronomy has until now been a UK success story – with the nation ranking third in the world for how often its researchers are credited globally. The UK is also a major player in organisations such as the European Southern Observatory, the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, and the European Space Agency.
If the UK is to maintain its position at the forefront of the field, which includes playing a vital role in the upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon, advancements in our understanding of the universe and the development of ground-breaking science instruments and spacecraft, it is essential that the proposed budget cuts are reversed.
ENDS
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Sam Tonkin
Royal Astronomical Society
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Dr Robert Massey
Royal Astronomical Society
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Notes for editors
About the Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science.
The RAS organises scientific meetings, publishes international research and review journals, recognises outstanding achievements by the award of medals and prizes, maintains an extensive library, supports education through grants and outreach activities and represents UK astronomy nationally and internationally. Its more than 4,000 members (Fellows), a third based overseas, include scientific researchers in universities, observatories and laboratories as well as historians of astronomy and others.
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