Research Councils UK

The Research Councils UK (link opens in a new window) (RCUK) is a partnership between the seven UK research councils, established in 2002, with the aim of facilitating cooperation between each council to increase the productivity of each one. RCUK is comprised of the STFC and the following 6 other research councils:

• Arts and Humanities Research Council (link opens in a new window) (AHRC) - The AHRC funds research into a wide variety of subjects, from history and linguistics to drama, music and art, with the aim of better-understanding human culture and creativity.
  
  
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (link opens in a new window) (BBSRC) - The BBSRC promotes postgraduate training and research into the biological sciences, and provides methods of exploiting research for commercial use.
  
  
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (link opens in a new window) (EPSRC) - The EPSRC funds research and training in engineering and the physical sciences, covering an array of subjects, from advanced mathematics to information technology to structural engineering.
  
  
• Economic and Social Research Council (link opens in a new window) (ESRC) - The ESRC funds research and training in various social and economic issues, focused primarily on economic affairs, education and human development, environment and planning, government and law, industry and employment, and social affairs.
  
  
• Medical Research Council (link opens in a new window) (MRC) - The MRC supports and funds research into medical science, in universities and hospitals across the UK, as well as within its own institutes in the UK and Africa.
  
  
• Natural Environment Research Council (link opens in a new window) (NERC) - The NERC is focused primarily on funding and managing research, training and knowledge exchange in the environmental sciences. It operates research ships and aircraft to monitor the global environment and has bases in "the most hostile parts of the planet".