Higher Education and Research Act 2017

93 UK research and innovation functions

(1) UKRI may—

(a) carry out research into science, technology, humanities and new ideas,

(b) facilitate, encourage and support research into science, technology, humanities and new ideas,

(c) facilitate, encourage and support the development and exploitation of science, technology, new ideas and advancements in humanities,

(d) facilitate, encourage and support knowledge exchange in relation to science, technology, humanities and new ideas,

(e) collect, disseminate and advance knowledge in and in connection with science, technology, humanities and new ideas,

(f) promote awareness and understanding of science, technology, humanities and new ideas,

(g) provide advice on any matter relating to any of its functions, and

(h) promote awareness and understanding of its activities.

(2) The activities which UKRI may carry out in, or in connection with, exercising a function conferred by subsection (1) are not restricted to the United Kingdom.

(3) The functions conferred by subsection (1)(a) to (f) include, in particular, power to encourage and support the provision of postgraduate training in science, technology, humanities and new ideas.

(4) For the purposes of this Part, “knowledge exchange”, in relation to science, technology, humanities or new ideas, means a process or other activity by which knowledge is exchanged where—

(a) the knowledge is in, or in connection with, science, technology, humanities or new ideas (as the case may be), and

(b) the exchange contributes, or is likely to contribute, (whether directly or indirectly) to an economic or social benefit in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

(5) Section 94 makes further provision about the giving of financial support under this section.

(6) Sections 95 to 98 provide for UKRI to make arrangements for the exercise of functions by the Councils on UKRI’s behalf.