UKRI urged to be ‘transparent’ after adopting grant lotteries – Research Professional News

Funder’s quiet introduction of randomisation option across opportunities prompts questions, plus support for “innovative” action

The introduction of partial randomisation as an optional tool for making funding decisions at UK Research and Innovation has prompted questions, and support, among research policy experts.

The UK’s national research funder has conducted trials of using lotteries to award grants across specific funding calls in recent years. With little fanfare, partial randomisation was adopted more broadly in 2025 as a potential assessment tool that could be used for UKRI funding opportunities, if deemed appropriate.