We’re excited to share that the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) is part of a new alliance of 35 organisations dedicated to advancing science for the benefit of people, communities, the economy and national priorities.
By Emily Armstrong
December 11, 2025
Time to read: 3 minutes
The UK’s foremost research agencies and institutes have come together to launch the National Research Organisations (NRO) Group, a trusted partner for government, academia and industry, providing a unified and authoritative perspective on science, policy, and research investment – making research matter.
The NRO Group formed to address fragmentation across the UK research landscape and unlock the full potential of national research organisations (NROs). This will involve 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 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.”
The NRO group brings together the LMS and 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 Petra Hajkova, Deputy Director of the LMS said:
“With the creation of the National Research Organisations the UK research institutes and establishments funded directly by the tax payer obtained a unified voice. We in the LMS are proud to be part of the NRO and add our voice to support and protect future UK science as well as to keep influencing the government policy decisions.”
NRO participant organisations: