United Kingdom

With respect to other systems, the UK organisation is extremely simplified. A single national Agency, PPARC (Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council), is in charge of planning and funding research, education and public understanding in four broad areas of science - particle physics, astronomy, cosmology and space science. PPARC is also in charge of representing UK membership in ESO and ESA councils. In turn, most astronomical research in the UK is undertaken within Universities, largely relying on the resources made available by PPARC.

Main Scientific Institutions

Most UK Universities have departments of Physics and Astronomy within their Science faculties. These departments undertake research as well as teaching as part of their portfolio of activities. A survey conducted in 2003 indicated that there were 47 research organisations with PPARC research grants as of 1 November 2003.

PPARC is the UK's strategic science investment agency and is, therefore, responsible for the direction, co-ordination and funding of UK research in particle physics, astronomy, cosmology and space science. PPARC’s key objectives, and its broad, long-term strategies for achieving them, are enshrined in its Strategic Plan, which is revised every few years on the basis of recommendations from its advisory bodies and the PPARC Executive. These long-term strategies are translated into more immediate targets in the PPARC Operating Plan, which is produced each year.

Other Scientific Institutions

The Royal Society is a leading independent scientific academy of the UK dedicated to promoting excellence in science, and plays an influential role in supporting the developments in science, engineering and technology in a wide range of ways.

The Royal Astronomical Society is a leading professional body for UK astronomy and astrophysics, geophysics, solar and solar-terrestrial physics, and planetary sciences. The RAS organises scientific meetings and publishes research and review journals. The Society also awards grants and prizes, supports educational activities and lobbies government.

Funding

PPARC receives an annual budget from OSI (Office of Science and Innovation) and, in turn, provides research grants and studentships to scientists in British Universities, gives researchers access to world-class UK-operated and international partnership facilities and funds the UK membership of international bodies such as the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, (CERN), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The majority of PPARC's budget (over 90% in 2002/03) goes to funding research in astronomy and particle physics. Infrastructure funding to large astronomy facilities and long-term projects are assigned following the advice provided by PPARC's Science Committee, a body of senior astronomers and particle physicists from UK Universities. Funding to smaller projects are assigned following a peer evaluation process. PPARC also contributes funds for the UK telescopes located overseas on La Palma, Hawaii, Australia and in Chile, the UK Astronomy Technology Centre at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh and the MERLIN/VLBI National Facility.

HEFCE (High Educational Funding Council for England) provides funding to support the research infrastructures, including the salaries of permanent academic staff, premises, libraries and central computing costs. These funds are spent at the institutions' discretion.

Universities are also able to contribute directly to the research infrastructures by allocating funds received from the SRIF (Science Research Investment Fund) to areas of specific interest, such as those, recently, used to form the UK SALT Consortium, in order, to participate in the South African Large Telescope.

The Royal Society has a grand total budget of approximately £40 million, both from the Department of Trade and Industry and from private sources. Of this £40 million, approximately 80% is spent by the Royal Society on supporting excellent scientists through a variety of grants and fellowships; astronomers are eligible to receive this funding. The Royal Astronomical Society awards grants in support of studies in astronomy and geophysics.

Personel

Most UK astronomers have staff positions at University Departments of Physics and Astronomy. In 2003, 387 professional astronomers (17% female) had permanent staff positions in UK institutions sponsored by PPARC grants. New positions are offered within Universities following the local rules.