UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) have announced that operational funding for the e-MERLIN radio interferometer will not be renewed beyond March 2028. In response, the University of Manchester, which operates e-MERLIN from the Jodrell Bank Observatory, reaffirmed its commitment to working with partners to explore options for securing the future of both e-MERLIN and the Lovell Telescope.
As one of the world’s leading radio astronomy research infrastructures participating in RadioNet activities, e-MERLIN plays a key role in scientific research, technological innovation, and user access. The long-term implications of the funding decision for the European radio astronomy landscape will depend on the outcome of ongoing discussions on the facility’s future.
e-MERLIN/VLBI, UK’s National Radio Astronomy Facility Statement:
The recent announcement by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) that funding for the e-MERLIN/VLBI National Facility will not be renewed beyond March 2028 marks a significant moment for UK radio astronomy.
This decision means that, without alternative support, all telescope operations and scientific observations with the Lovell Telescope and e-MERLIN are expected to cease from 2028.
This announcement comes alongside wide-ranging and deeply challenging funding reductions across the STFC portfolio, affecting scientific facilities, research programmes and colleagues throughout the research community. We recognise the immense dedication, expertise and commitment of researchers, engineers, technical specialists and support staff across the community who are affected, and we share concerns about the potential long-term consequences for the UK’s research and innovation landscape. At this difficult time, we remain committed to working together to advocate for UK science, support affected colleagues and help secure a sustainable future for world-leading research infrastructure and discovery science.
While this e-MERLIN decision presents a significant challenge, The University of Manchester remains fully committed to working with partners across the UK and internationally to explore alternative funding opportunities and options to secure the future scientific operation of Jodrell Bank Observatory, the Lovell Telescope and e-MERLIN. Our priority is to do everything possible to preserve the scientific and technological operations of these internationally important facilities.
e-MERLIN is one of the world’s leading radio astronomy research infrastructures, enabling unique capabilities, internationally recognised research, driving technological innovation, and supporting the development of highly skilled scientific and engineering expertise. It contributes to the European radio astronomy community, including through RadioNet and VLBI collaborations, and e-MERLIN plays a vital role at the forefront of global radio astronomy. The long-term implications of the funding decision for these activities will depend on the outcome of ongoing discussions about the Jodrell Bank Observatory and e-MERLIN’s future.
We are immensely grateful for the considerable support shown by colleagues, partner organisations, policymakers, alumni and members of the public in the UK and around the world following the announcement. This response reflects the profound impact that Jodrell Bank Observatory and e-MERLIN have had on science, innovation, skills, society and international collaboration.
The University of Manchester remains committed to pursuing every opportunity to sustain the Jodrell Bank Observatory and e-MERLIN as a cornerstone of UK radio astronomy and a globally respected centre of discovery and innovation.
The University of Manchester’s response is available here: Our response to the UKRI/STFC e-MERLIN funding announcement
JIV-ERIC Statement:
The announced STFC funding cuts affecting UK radio astronomy are deeply concerning and their consequences extend far beyond the institutions directly affected. Jodrell Bank was a founding member of the European VLBI Network and pioneered VLBI in Europe, while the Lovell Telescope remains the second-largest telescope in the network. STFC funding for e-MERLIN explicitly supports the Lovell Telescope’s participation in EVN observations, with no alternative source of support currently available. At a time when the EVN is going from strength to strength, and when including e-MERLIN in the majority of EVN observations has become an important part of its progress, these cuts risk damaging long-standing European and global scientific partnerships and could significantly affect the future combination of SKA, EVN and e-MERLIN capabilities.
Interferometry is inherently collaborative: no single institution or country can provide these scientific capabilities alone. As I often say, in VLBI, sharing means multiplying; by combining telescopes and expertise, we achieve far more than any individual facility could deliver. Jodrell Bank and the University of Manchester also preserve essential expertise, train future generations of radio astronomers and engineers, and contribute to European technological development and resilience. As Director of JIV-ERIC, and on behalf of the entire JIV-ERIC team, I express our strong support for e-MERLIN, the Lovell Telescope and our colleagues at Jodrell Bank Observatory. We stand ready to help explore alternatives that could mitigate the consequences of these decisions, protect these capabilities and maintain the UK’s important role in European and global VLBI.
Signed by JIV-ERIC director.
Examples of further information:
https://www.jodrellbank.manchester.ac.uk/
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jul/27/jodrell-bank-observatory-facing-closure-uk