STFC Reviews

STFC's science prioritisation exercise has concluded and Council met on 15 December 2009 to consider the recommendations. The outcome, covering STFC’s entire science research and technology programme for 2010-11 and beyond, was announced on 16 December and posted on our web site.

Our Vision is 'to maximise the impact of our knowledge, skills, facilities and resources for the benefit of the United Kingdom and its people' and in delivering this we have committed to continue to support both curiosity-driven and application-led research.

But we accept that our operating environment has changed dramatically as a result of the global financial crisis, including the fall in the value of the pound. The medium and longer term forecasts of the effect of the financial crisis upon public expenditure suggest ongoing tough times for many years to come. STFC is therefore conducting a major science prioritisation exercise. We are doing so for two reasons:

• to prepare for the inevitably tougher budget outcomes expected as a result of the financial crisis, and
  
  
• to ensure our programme delivers maximum scientific, social, economic and international benefit to the UK.

Since establishment in April 2007, STFC’s operating environment has changed dramatically as a result of the global financial crisis, including the fall in the value of the pound. The medium and longer term forecasts of the effect of the financial crisis upon public expenditure suggest ongoing tough times for many years to come.

This page provides links to the various components of our science prioritisation exercise, as well as a range of supporting material we have provided to the research community. Questions about the specific reviews or panel discussions should be directed to the review or panel chair. We welcome more general questions through our feedback email account.

We are aware that there has been some discussion of our science prioritisation exercise by our partners and stakeholders, such as the Institute of Physics (link opens in a new window) and the Royal Astronomical Society (link opens in a new window). Links to these and to other partner and stakeholder websites can be found in the 'Who we work with' section of this website.

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Latest News

• 06/08/10 - News from Science Board - July 2010
• 28/07/10 - News from Council - July 2010
• 11/06/10 - News from Science Board - June 2010
• 18/05/10 - News from Science Board - April 2010
• 15/04/10 - Astronomy Grant's Panel Chairman's report 2009-2010 - A personal view
• 31/03/10 - Statement on engaging with stakeholders in the Comprehensive Spending Review
• 29/03/10 - Particle Physics Town Meeting 2010 (PDF - 1036kB - link opens in a new window): Presentation by John Womersley
• 26/03/10 - News from Council
• 17/03/10 - Update on SNO+
• 10/03/10 - Update from UKIRT
• 01/03/10 - News from Science Board - February 2010
• 05/02/10 - Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics Science Committee (PPAN) prioritisation report final (PDF - 135kB - link opens in a new window)
• 05/02/10 - Physical and Life Sciences Committee (PALS) prioritisation report final (PDF - 68kB - link opens in a new window)
• 26/01/10 - News from Council
• 15/01/10 - John Womersley's presentation to the Astronomy Forum (PDF - 362kB - link opens in a new window)
• 04/01/10 - Final report (PDF - 428kB - link opens in a new window) of the Ground-Based Facilities Review
• 23/12/09 - Review of STFC structural issues
• 21/12/09 - STFC Education, Training and Careers Committee decision on 2010 awards
• 21/12/09 - STFC Town Meeting (PDF - 671kB - link opens in a new window)
• 16/12/09 - Council statement
• 16/12/09 - Science Board (PDF - 88kB - link opens in a new window)
• 16/12/09 - PPAN statement (PDF - 85kB - link opens in a new window)
• 16/12/09 - PALS statement (PDF - 37kB - link opens in a new window)
• 16/12/09 - FAQs (PDF - 61kB - link opens in a new window)
• 16/12/09 - Media conference presentation slides (PDF - link opens in a new window)
• 16/12/09 - Discussion Forum (has been closed)
• 16/12/09 - On-demand archive of STFC conference webcast (link opens in a new window)
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- Gemini Observatory: UK statement to Gemini Board (PDF-37KB)(opens in a new window) (published on 17 November 2009)

- STFC Programme Prioritisation (PDF-62KB)(opens in a new window) (published on 17 November 2009)

- Download a copy of the CEO presentation to RAS Astronomy Forum (PDF-417KB)(opens in a new window) on 15/09/09
News from Council - November 2009

News from Council - October 2009

News from Council - September 2009

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Reports to the Science Committee on Physical and Life Sciences (PALS)

- Neutron Advisory Panel (NAP) report (PDF-1.3 MB) - as at 09/09/09 - Draft (opens in a new window)

- Photon Advisory Panel (PAP) report (PDF-83KB) as at 10/09/09 - Draft
(opens in a new window)

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Reports to the Science Committee for Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics (PPAN)

- Far-Universe Advisory Panel (FUAP) report (PDF-371KB ) - Draft (opens in a new window)

- Near-Universe Advisory Panel (NUAP) report (PDF-481KB) (link opens in a new window) as at 16/11/09 - (revised draft)
   (Original NUAP draft report (PDF-377KB) (PDF - 377kB - link opens in a new window) as at 21/09/09)

- Nuclear Physics Advisory Panel (NPAP) report (PDF-3.8 MB) - Complete (opens in a new window)

- Particle Astrophysics Advisory Panel (PAAP) report (PDF-235 KB) as at 10/09/09 - Draft (opens in a new window)

- Particle Physics Advisory Panel (PPAP) report (PDF-539 KB) as at 25/09/09 - Draft (opens in a new window)

- Appendix to draft PPAP report (PDF-181 KB) as at 25/09/09 - Draft(opens in a new window)

- NUAP presentation to PPAN (PDF-3 MB) on 28/09/09 (opens in a new window)

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Associated document

- Ground-Based Facilities Review (GBFR) report (PDF-761 KB) - Draft (opens in a new window)

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