UK Research Office

The UK Research Office (UKRO) is the UK’s leading information and advice service on European Union funding for research and higher education. Established in Brussels in 1984, UKRO is jointly funded by all seven UK Research Councils and receives subscriptions from over 140 research organisations, principally in the UK.

UKRO’s mission is to promote effective UK engagement in EU research, innovation and higher education activities, seeking to achieve this by enabling sponsors and subscribers to make informed decisions about participation in EU programmes and to realise the opportunities available to them. They support UK input into European research policy development and implementation by informing and interfacing with the appropriate bodies; and maintain a suite of quality services that meet the evolving needs of sponsors and subscribers.

UKRO provides information on all funding opportunities through the Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development and other sources of funding for research and higher education offered by the EU and other European-level funding organisations. This information is supplemented by articles giving insight into the latest developments in research and higher education programmes and policy, relevant developments in the Commission and the European Parliament, and emerging issues at European level.

Each year, UKRO organises a two-day Annual Conference aimed predominantly at European Liaison Officers, European research managers, Research Councils and policy makers. The conference provides a forum for discussion and networking with key speakers from the European Commission on a range of EU policies and funding opportunities. The presentations from the 2010 conference are available now.

UKRO also offers a range of other services, including a full enquiry service staffed by a team of expert European Advisors, and organisational briefing visits - seminars, consultancy, training courses, advice and guidance – tailored to the needs of any specific organisation.

Their Annual Report for 2010 is attached below.