The figures show a small rise in the share of academic staff on open-ended contracts, reversing three years of decline. Researchers on fixed-term contracts tied to specific grants still make up close to half of the research workforce, the data show. The sector body said the shift likely reflects funder pressure rather than a change in institutional policy. It plans to publish a fuller breakdown by discipline and career stage later in the year.

A routine audit found significant variation in how host institutions record and report grant-related expenses, though it identified no evidence of misuse. The auditors recommend a standard template be adopted across all major funders within two years. Several finance directors said the inconsistency stems from funders themselves requesting different formats, not from institutional practice. The relevant funders' forum is due to discuss a common template at its next quarterly meeting.