The UK's Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) has launched its science budget for 2008-11, and there has been concern over what is perceived as insufficient funding allocation for physics research. Dr. Robert Kirby-Harris, chief executive of the Institute of Physics (IOP), has expressed concern at the proportion of funding assigned to physics research, particularly through the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
While the government has made a positive financial commitment to science, the proportion of funding assigned to physics research, according to Dr. Kirby-Harris, is below that required. He has further stated that the move may jeopardise the renaissance of physics witnessed over the past few years.
It is feared that the significant shortfall in funding could lead to a 25 percent decrease in the number of grants available to key university departments, and severely weaken their financial position. It could also restrict the operation of some major scientific facilities which provide vital services to the wider science community from material science to medical research, and are not just limited to the field of physics.
The Institute has welcomed the Research Councils UK (RCUK) review of physics funding, which it expects will address the serious structural funding issues which have led to this shortfall.
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