Science & innovation

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) funds the 7 Research Councils, who allocate public funds to support research projects.

They cover all academic disciplines from the medical and biological sciences, astronomy, physics, chemistry and engineering, to social sciences, economics, environmental sciences and the arts and humanities.

The Royal Society is the UK and Commonwealth's independent scientific academy dedicated to promoting excellence in science. It plays an influential role in national and international science policy and supports developments in science, engineering and technology.

The Royal Academy of Engineering brings together the country's most eminent engineers from all disciplines to promote excellence in the science, art and practice of engineering.

Swine Flu DNA Test

British scientists have created the first rapid test kits for the new swine flu virus. They claim the DNA based kits are the first on the market that can give results in two hours. The Southampton based team say they have identified a “unique genetic tag” for the virus, which could help to identify and contain its spread.

There are already systems on the market to look for flu, but the company says its new kit is the first in the world that will be available to specifically look for the new version of the flu virus.

It works by rapidly multiplying a sample of DNA taken from the suspected swine flu sufferer. If the H1N1 strain is present in the sample, the test homes in on the genetic material unique to the infection. This allows it to quickly differentiate between those suffering from the new strain and those with more common strains of the flu virus.

If swine flu continues to spread its hoped the scientific breakthrough will ensure rapid diagnosis, enabling governments and health authorities to monitor its progress and hopefully contain it.

Science and innovation drives our economic prosperity and our social development. It also provides some of the tools and solutions to help with global challenges such as:

climate change
energy supplies
food security
healthcare
national security
sustainable development.

UK - a global leader in science

UK researchers and technology companies need to collaborate with the best in the world to:

maintain our position as a global leader in science
translate science into innovative products and services
address global challenges.

Supporting science through our Global Network

We (the FCO) and the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) jointly fund and manage a network of science and innovation officers. We have dedicated staff:

in 39 UK embassies and offices
across 24 countries.

The Network’s purpose is to:

promote access to and sharing of scientific expertise, resources and facilities through international scientific collaboration and exchange
strengthen the UK's capacity to innovate through international research and development (R&D) investment, R&D partnerships and technology transfer
inform effective domestic and international policy making and leadership based on the best available science
use science and innovation to influence in an increasingly globalised world and to forge strategic alliances.

Who do we work with?

Our Science and Innovation network also works with a range of UK organisations:

other government departments
UK Trade and Investment
parliamentary bodies
research councils
British Council
societies
industry and universities.

Our science and innovation work directly supports our goals to promote a low carbon, high growth economy and to support the British economy.

Our FCO Annual Report has more detail about the work of the Science and Innovation Network, with contact info for our science and innovation officers around the world.