[Rdf-internal] FW: UKRI/BBSRC Policy Updates and UKRI Funding Service Function Changes

Wed Nov 19 16:17:54 GMT 2025

Hi all,
The attached pdf is the first link in Andy’s email. It positions RRI as an umbrella concept that covers others such as research ethics and trusted research. I think this is an interesting concept ans worth being aware of.

Kind regards,
Bernd

From: Andy Crabtree (staff) <andy.crabtree at nottingham.ac.uk>
Sent: 19 November 2025 15:05
To: PS-CS-Academic <PS-CS-Academic at exmail.nottingham.ac.uk>; PS-CS-Researchers <PS-CS-Researchers at exmail.nottingham.ac.uk>
Subject: Fwd: UKRI/BBSRC Policy Updates and UKRI Funding Service Function Changes

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Tanja Siggs (staff)" <Tanja.Siggs at nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:Tanja.Siggs at nottingham.ac.uk>>
Subject: UKRI/BBSRC Policy Updates and UKRI Funding Service Function Changes
Date: 19 November 2025 at 15:01:07 GMT

Dear Colleagues,

There have been some recent UKRI/Research Council policy developments, which are outlined below. These policy updates will lead to changes to application requirements and expert reviewer assessment.

There are also a number of function changes to the UKRI Funding Service (TFS) that are relevant for project leads, peer reviewers and Research Office personnel. Some of these have already been introduced or will be introduced in the next few months. More details are provided below.

Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any queries on any of the updates listed.

Best regards,

Tanja

BBSRC/MRC Policy Update 1 - New policy statement on managing risks of research misuse
BBSRC and MRC have issued a joint policy statement (October 2025) on an enhanced approach to managing risk of research misuse. This statement is intended to address increasing concerns around risk of harm from funded research, including malicious intent and ‘gain of function’ (where research can be adapted for harmful purposes).

The policy change will lead to a number of changes for applicants, including:
-Revised Ethics and RRI section on UKRI Funding Service (TFS) to consider research misuse risks. These changes in TFS are expected in early-mid 2026

-Related TFS sections will be updated. For example, the Genetic & Biological Risk section will be expanded to include genetic technologies and the Trusted Research & Innovation section will also be expanded.

BBSRC and MRC expert reviewers will be guided to assess applications on how they have identified and addressed potential misuse risks.

Discussions are ongoing for this policy to potentially cover all UKRI life sciences funding.

Document link: Managing risks of research misuse: joint policy statement – UKRI<https://www.ukri.org/publications/managing-risks-of-research-misuse-joint-policy-statement/>

The BBSRC presentation can be accessed here - [https://res.public.onecdn.static.microsoft/assets/fluentui-resources/1.1.0/app-min/assets/item-types/20_2x/pdf.png]RRI and TRI - SPUs meeting 12th Nov 2025.pdf<https://uniofnottm-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/tanja_siggs_nottingham_ac_uk/ERJo_YtE0UJGkX4cVZ2pC8QBYVZjw6qLstnG6bT-SNlqEw?e=nTD1oY>

UKRI/BBSRC Policy Update 2: New UK Government strategy for driving the use of alternatives to animals in science

The UK Government has published a new strategy to drive the use of alternatives to animals in science. The UK Government (DSIT) will work with funders (e.g. medical research charities, UKRI, and NC3Rs) to (i) create positive incentives for applicants to develop, validate and implement alternatives to animal use;
(ii) empower reviewers and panels to support the phasing in of scientifically robust alternative methods where they exist, to promote the replacement of animals in research. Where appropriate, specific training, guidance and resources will be provided to support funding panels to make informed decisions on these elements of the application process.

Document link: Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods - GOV.UK<https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/replacing-animals-in-science-strategy/replacing-animals-in-science-a-strategy-to-support-the-development-validation-and-uptake-of-alternative-methods>

BBSRC presentation on the new strategy and TFS changes can be accessed here - [https://res.public.onecdn.static.microsoft/assets/fluentui-resources/1.1.0/app-min/assets/item-types/20_2x/pdf.png]Research and Innovation Involving Animals - Nov 2025.pdf<https://uniofnottm-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/tanja_siggs_nottingham_ac_uk/Ed64jLVaLgJHu0Xlu6O01DsBuCdLWTHXfAB7eS7gTKAoTw?e=CNmiUV>

Research Operations Updates

Operations update 1: New animal-related questions in TFS
New animal-related questions will be introduced in TFS due to the updated animal use policy and new UK Government strategy for driving the use of alternatives to animals in science launched on 11th November. The new structured questions and downloadable form to complete and upload will launch in early 2026.

A BBSRC presentation on the new strategy and TFS changes can be accessed here - [https://res.public.onecdn.static.microsoft/assets/fluentui-resources/1.1.0/app-min/assets/item-types/20_2x/pdf.png]Research and Innovation Involving Animals - Nov 2025.pdf<https://uniofnottm-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/tanja_siggs_nottingham_ac_uk/Ed64jLVaLgJHu0Xlu6O01DsBuCdLWTHXfAB7eS7gTKAoTw?e=AJDdz8>

Operations update 2: TFS changes
A number of new updates have been made to TFS. These include:

-Project Leads can now view their award information (read only), including terms and conditions, funding level and project details
-Reviewers can manually set their own deadlines and request extensions
- Research Office permissions and controls have been amended so ROs can now set the level of access for each team member

Other changes coming soon to TFS:

– More functionality for change requests
- Award remittance (financial breakdown statement)
- Improving award information
- Ability to add our own reference and department to awards
- Helpdesk tooling improvements

More details in the presentation here - [https://res.public.onecdn.static.microsoft/assets/fluentui-resources/1.1.0/app-min/assets/item-types/20_2x/pdf.png]UKRI Funding Service Update.pdf<https://uniofnottm-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/tanja_siggs_nottingham_ac_uk/EXA8ovGPzzFLoB4NuNr7iQgBOHXbWLiIKZv8bIx-Qyf9ug?e=JX2hJe>

Tanja Siggs MCIPR
Strategic Research & KE Development Manager (UKRI)
Research and Innovation
University of Nottingham

Available via MS Teams | Email | In-Person Meeting
tanja.siggs at nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:tanja.siggs at nottingham.ac.uk>

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