Receiving its funding through the science budget from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, STFC's mission is to "To maximise the impact of our knowledge, skills, facilities and resources for the benefit of the United Kingdom and its people". · Universities: STFC supports university-based research, innovation and skills development in particle physics, nuclear physics, space science and astronomy. · Scientific Facilities: They provide access to world-leading, large-scale facilities across a range of physical and life sciences, enabling research, innovation and skills. · National Campuses: Working with partners to build National Science and Innovation Campuses based around National Laboratories to promote academic and industrial collaboration and translation of research to market through direct interaction with industry. · Inspiring and Involving: STFC help create a future pipeline of skilled and enthusiastic young people by using the excitement of our sciences to encourage wider take-up of STEM subjects in school and future life.
Activities
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is one of Europe's largest multidisciplinary research organisations supporting scientists and engineers worldwide. Through research fellowships and grants, it is responsible for funding research in UK universities, in the fields of astronomy, particle physics, nuclear physics and space science. STFC operates its own world-class, large-scale research facilities and provides strategic advice to the UK government on their development. It manages international research projects in support of a broad cross-section of the UK research community and directs, coordinates and funds research, education and training. It is a partner in the UK Space Agency providing about 40% of the UK government's expenditure in space science and technology.
Facilities
It helps operate/provide access for UK and international scientists to the following large-scale facilities:
STFC's budget is allocated annually by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. For 2015-16 STFC's budget allocation was £529 million.
Knowledge exchange obligations
STFC is active in its responsibility for knowledge exchange from government funded civil science into UKPLC. As such, many technologies are licensed to UK companies and spin-out companies created including:
However knowledge exchange activities are not purely limited to commercialization of technologies, but also cover a wider range of activities which aim to transfer expertise into the wider economy.
