Our funding
Our funding
UKRIO is committed to maintaining its independence, integrity and impartiality in everything it does. As a charity, we need a sustainable and diverse income base to fulfil our charitable purposes and support high standards of research integrity over the long term.
We therefore accept funding from a range of sources, subject to appropriate consideration of the source, purpose and nature of the relationship. Our approach reflects the principles that underpin all our work: respect, accountability, honesty, rigour and transparency.
No funding relationship should compromise, or reasonably appear to compromise, UKRIO’s independence, objectivity, professional judgement or ability to fulfil its charitable purposes.
Our funding model
UKRIO was initially established as a pilot project supported by a broad group of stakeholders, including the Universities UK, UK Higher Education Funding Councils, Government Departments, Research Councils, the Royal Society, research charities and other organisations.
Our funding model subsequently developed to include support from organisations across the research community. Today, UKRIO is primarily supported through subscriptions from more than 175 organisations, alongside grants, commissioned work and other charitable funding.
Maintaining a diverse funding base reduces reliance on any individual source and supports UKRIO’s independence and neutrality.
Subscriptions
Organisations involved in research can subscribe to UKRIO to access additional support, advice and services. Our support is tailored, where appropriate, to the needs of subscribing organisations.
Subscription fees are tiered according to factors including the number of research-active roles, the scale and scope of research activity and the type of organisation. This is intended to distribute the cost of our services fairly across the research community.
Our subscribers include higher education institutions, public- and third-sector research organisations and private-sector companies. A current list of fee-paying subscribers is available.
When developing our strategy and annual work programme, we actively engage with stakeholders across the research system, including non-subscribers. This ensures that our priorities and activities are informed by the needs, perspectives and interests of the research community as a whole.
Our work is independent of our subscription arrangements. Subscribing to UKRIO does not give any subscriber influence over UKRIO’s advice, decisions, priorities or activities beyond the support and services expressly associated with the subscription.
Grants and commissioned funding
UKRIO seeks grants and commissions from organisations whose objectives are compatible with our charitable purposes. These may include research and funding bodies, government and public-sector organisations, charitable trusts and foundations, charities and other organisations.
Grants and commissioned income are used to support activities that further UKRIO’s charitable purposes and benefit the research community and wider society.
Relevant funding is disclosed through our Annual Report and Accounts, where applicable.
Corporate funding
UKRIO may accept funding from private-sector organisations where this is consistent with this statement and UKRIO’s wider policies.
The acceptance of funding does not constitute an endorsement of the funder, its products, services or activities.
Protecting our independence
UKRIO’s funders do not determine:
- who UKRIO supports;
- what advice or assistance it provides;
- the conclusions it reaches; or
- how it fulfils its charitable purposes.
Funding does not give any individual or organisation decision-making authority over UKRIO.
UKRIO will not share confidential information about those who seek its advice or support with funders, including information about who has approached us, the concerns they have raised or the advice provided.
Governance and oversight
UKRIO is governed by an independent Board of Trustees responsible for overseeing the charity’s governance, risk management, strategic direction, and monitoring organisational performance. The Board provides independent oversight of UKRIO’s activities and helps ensure that the organisation operates in a fair, transparent, and impartial manner.
Trustees are appointed through an open and competitive recruitment process, informed by a skills audit to identify the expertise, experience, and perspectives required to fulfil the charity’s objects. UKRIO’s trustee recruitment practices are consistent with the Charity Commission’s guidance (CC30).
To provide additional scrutiny and assurance, the Board is supported by two standing committees: the People and Governance Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee. Both committees are composed of trustees and are responsible for detailed oversight of their key respective areas of governance, organisational effectiveness and risk management.
When we will decline funding
UKRIO generally starts from the presumption that funding offered to support its charitable purposes should be accepted. However, we will decline or cease a funding relationship where doing so is necessary to protect our charitable purposes, values, independence, integrity or reputation, or to comply with legal or ethical requirements.
This includes circumstances where:
- there are reasonable grounds to believe that funds derive from illegal activity;
- accepting the funding would require UKRIO to act unlawfully or unethically;
- the funding is subject to conditions that would compromise UKRIO’s independence or professional judgement;
- the relationship creates an unacceptable actual or perceived conflict of interest;
- the source or nature of the funding presents an unacceptable reputational risk; or
- the costs, obligations or risks associated with accepting the funding are disproportionate to its value or purpose.
UKRIO will also not knowingly solicit or accept funding from organisations or individuals whose activities are fundamentally incompatible with our values or charitable purposes.
This may include organisations whose principal activities involve areas such as tobacco and vaping, gambling, pornography, armaments, high-interest lending or fossil fuel production. This list is illustrative rather than exhaustive.
Operating or conducting research in a potentially sensitive field does not, in itself, prevent an organisation from funding UKRIO. The source, purpose and circumstances of the proposed funding will be considered on their merits.
Acceptance of funding does not constitute an endorsement of the funder or its activities.
How funding decisions are made
UKRIO undertakes appropriate due diligence on potential funding sources. The level of scrutiny is proportionate to the size, nature and risk associated with the proposed funding.
In assessing a potential funding relationship, we consider:
- Purpose and values – whether the funding is consistent with UKRIO’s charitable purposes, values and relevant legal, ethical and professional standards.
- Independence and conflicts – whether the relationship could create an actual or perceived conflict of interest or undue influence over UKRIO’s work.
- Transparency and accountability – whether the relationship can be managed openly and responsibly.
- Use and impact – whether the funder could use UKRIO’s outputs, services or outcomes in a way that conflicts with our charitable purposes or ethical standards.
- Reputation – whether accepting the funding could reasonably be expected to undermine confidence in UKRIO or its independence.
Where appropriate, the Nolan Principles of Public Life – selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership – provide an additional framework for considering ethical questions about funding.
Funding decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Significant or higher-risk proposals are subject to enhanced governance and approval in accordance with UKRIO’s internal policies and delegated authorities. The Audit & Risk Committee has oversight of ethical funding decisions and considers complex cases where there is potential ethical, reputational or independence risk.
Our commitment to funders
UKRIO recognises the importance of the support provided by its funders. We will:
- be honest and transparent about our funding and how it is used;
- treat those who support us with courtesy and respect;
- protect personal information appropriately;
- maintain appropriate fundraising and safeguarding standards; and
- respond promptly and appropriately to complaints.
These commitments do not alter the fundamental principle that financial support does not confer influence over UKRIO’s decisions, advice or professional judgement.
Transparency
UKRIO is committed to being open about its sources of funding and the safeguards in place to protect its independence.
Relevant sources of income and funding are disclosed through our Annual Report and Accounts, subject to applicable legal and confidentiality requirements.
The acceptance of a subscription fee, donation, grant or other funding by UKRIO does not constitute an endorsement of the funder, its products, services, policies or activities.