The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) is pleased to be part of a new national alliance of 35 leading research agencies and institutes that are dedicated to advancing science for the benefit of people, communities, the economy and national priorities.
The National Research Organisations (NRO) Group launched on 10 December 2025 and is a trusted partner for government, academia and industry, providing a unified and authoritative perspective on science, policy and research investment – making research matter.
It has been formed to address fragmentation across the UK research landscape and unlock the full potential of national research organisations. This involves clearer governance, strategic alignment, and better visibility of these unique capabilities.
By creating an authoritative, collegiate voice and a trusted interface, the NRO Group ensures that science-based insight informs decisions and connects major national priorities to improve people’s lives, boost growth, and ensure security and resilience – while driving progress toward net zero and UK environmental goals.
Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Research and Development is essential to building a better Britain. From new treatments for cancer, to breakthroughs in clean energy or developing the computers of the future, the path to a stronger economy and society will be dependent on science and innovation.”
"There has never been a better time for the UK's research institutes and public research bodies to pull together. By aligning their capabilities to deliver maximum impact, the NRO Group will be a key part of our efforts to ensure that science and technology benefits everyone.
Improving lives, inspiring growth
The NRO group brings together many agencies and institutes that provide unique national and international capabilities. Their principal purpose is to perform curiosity-driven as well as focussed full-time research, from searching for new antibiotics to the clean jet engines of the future. This grouping is underpinned by a formal partnership agreement, to generate maximum value to the economy, security and the lives of people.
Professor Sir Ian Chapman, CEO of UK Research and Innovation, said: “Our National Research Organisations are a real asset for the UK, providing world-class facilities and researchers. By coming together in this way, they [NROs] have the opportunity to improve efficiency, allowing the whole to be greater than the sum of the parts. By focussing their efforts, the NRO can play an important role in improving lives and driving growth across the UK.”
Dr Stuart Wainwright, NRO Group Director and CEO of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, said: “I’ve worked with many NROs over the last 25 years and have consistently been inspired by how their science improves lives, drives growth and ensures our national security. Through the new NRO Group we aim to do even more good for the nation and our people.”
For information, visit the NRO website nrogroup.org
NRO participant organisations:
Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
AWE Nuclear Security Technologies
British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
British Geological Survey (BGS)
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS)
James Hutton Institute (JHI)
John Innes Centre (JIC)
Medical Research Council Laboratory of Medical Sciences (MRC LMS)
Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC LMB)
Met Office
Moredun Research Institute
National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS)
National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO)
National Measurement Lab LGC (NML)
National Oceanography Centre (NOC)
National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML)
Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB)
Rosalind Franklin Institute (RFI)
Rothamsted Research
Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS)
STFC National Labs
The Alan Turing Institute
The Babraham Institute
The Earlham Institute
The Francis Crick Institute
The Pirbright Institute
The Roslin Institute
UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
UK National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL)