The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is a UK Government agency which supports research, innovation, and knowledge exchange in a variety of scientific disciplines. The STFC works with universities, industry, business and innovation partners to create a dynamic environment for research which drives economic growth and supports the UK’s global position.
The Council is funded mainly by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The STFC's budget for 2020/21 is £297.5m. This money is used to fund world-leading facilities, leading research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and providing inspiring science education for everyone.
STFC facilities include Cirrus, a website hosting data from across the UK's astronomical research community, Jethro, a nuclear particle accelerator located at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and the new Astronomy Technology Centre, a research laboratory designed to create groundbreaking astronomical technologies. The organisation also plays a key role in developing science and technology education programmes, focusing particularly on inspiring young people to pursue STEM-related careers.
The STFC's research programmes aim to tackle the main scientific challenges facing the world today, and to drive forward innovation and new technologies to provide solutions. Examples of research funded by the STFC includes studies on organic solar cells, 3D printing of medical devices and biological changes caused by climate change.
Ultimately, the vision of the STFC is to be a leader in global science and technology, driving research and innovation, as well as providing support and inspiring opportunities for the next generation of scientists.
