Recent commentary has raised questions about the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) future funding decisions relating to e-MERLIN and Jodrell Bank. The following explains what has been decided and what it means for UK radio astronomy.
Investing in the future
UKRI and STFC have invested heavily in Jodrell Bank and the wider SKAO programme.
Key investments include the SKAO headquarters and ongoing operations. In 2015, the UK secured the right to host the international SKAO headquarters at Jodrell Bank.
The headquarters building was funded through:
- STFC: £9.8 million
- The University of Manchester: £5.7 million
- Cheshire East Council: £1 million
The headquarters is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the UK, including foreign direct investment and wider economic value.
The SKAO headquarters now employs almost 200 staff from around 30 nationalities. Annual operating costs are approximately £15 million, with the majority funded through international contributions from SKAO member countries.
Key facts at a glance:
- e-MERLIN funding continues until March 2028
- STFC does not directly fund the Jodrell Bank site itself
- The University of Manchester owns and operates the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory
- SKAO headquarters remains based at Jodrell Bank
- The UK is investing £327 million in SKAO between 2021 and 2030
- STFC continues to invest in radio astronomy through SKAO
Jodrell Bank remains an important UK science asset
The Jodrell Bank Observatory is part of The University of Manchester’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. STFC and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) do not directly fund The University of Manchester’s Jodrell Bank site itself but support specific research infrastructure and projects that are based at, or operate from the site.
Funding for e-Merlin is unchanged until March 2028
Current funding for e-Merlin remains in place until 31 March 2028. The operation of the Lovell Telescope is supported through STFC’s funding of the e-MERLIN radio astronomy network, alongside contributions from The University of Manchester. The current operating contract continues until March 2028.
Following a prioritisation process, STFC will not continue funding e-MERLIN beyond the end of the current contract and will undertake a managed withdrawal process.
Future of the Lovell Telescope
The Lovell Telescope is owned and operated by The University of Manchester.
Decisions about the telescope’s future will be taken by The University of Manchester and will depend on future funding and operating arrangements.
STFC continues to invest in the Jodrell Bank site
The planned withdrawal from e-MERLIN does not represent a withdrawal from the Jodrell Bank site more broadly.
STFC continues to support activity at the site through investment in the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), including:
- supporting the UK-hosted SKAO headquarters at Jodrell Bank
- supporting development of the UK SKAO Regional Centre
- investment in computing infrastructure and data access capabilities
- ongoing collaboration with The University of Manchester and the wider UK radio astronomy community
The UK is investing in the next generation of radio astronomy
The UK is making one of the world’s largest investments in next-generation radio astronomy. In a constrained funding environment, STFC has prioritised investment in SKAO, which will be the world’s largest radio astronomy facility.
Between 2021 and 2030, the UK will contribute £327 million to SKAO through the international SKAO organisation, alongside contributions from 13 other member countries. The UK’s focus is on ensuring that UK researchers remain at the forefront of the next generation of radio astronomy capability.
Supporting young researchers
Researchers have significant notice and access to alternative facilities around the world. e-MERLIN has played an important role in developing early career researchers and preparing scientists for future radio astronomy facilities.
By providing advance notice of its planned withdrawal from e-MERLIN funding, STFC is allowing time for impacts to be mitigated and for researchers to access alternative international facilities while transitioning towards the SKAO era.