Science & innovation

Science and innovation drives our economic prosperity and our social development. It also provides some of the tools and solutions to help with global challenges such as:

climate change
energy supplies
food security
healthcare
national security
sustainable development.

UK - a global leader in science

UK researchers and technology companies need to collaborate with the best in the world to:

maintain our position as a global leader in science
translate science into innovative products and services
address global challenges.

Supporting science through our Global Network

We (the FCO) and the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) jointly fund and manage a network of science and innovation officers. We have dedicated staff:

in 39 UK embassies and offices
across 24 countries.

The Network’s purpose is to:

promote access to and sharing of scientific expertise, resources and facilities through international scientific collaboration and exchange
strengthen the UK's capacity to innovate through international research and development (R&D) investment, R&D partnerships and technology transfer
inform effective domestic and international policy making and leadership based on the best available science
use science and innovation to influence in an increasingly globalised world and to forge strategic alliances.

Who do we work with?

Our Science and Innovation network also works with a range of UK organisations:

other government departments
UK Trade and Investment
parliamentary bodies
research councils
British Council
societies
industry and universities.

Our science and innovation work directly supports our goals to promote a low carbon, high growth economy and to support the British economy.

Our FCO Annual Report has more detail about the work of the Science and Innovation Network, with contact info for our science and innovation officers around the world.