Curiosity Week 2026

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is pleased to invite you to two complementary events taking place in London as part of Curiosity Week, bringing together leaders from the research and innovation community. Curiosity Week is a programme of interconnected meetings linked by a shared focus on curiosity-driven research and will take place from the 26th to 30th of October 2026 in London. UKRI Networking Reception Tuesday 27 October 18:00-21:00, British Library Join participants from the Global Research Council European Regional Meeting, the OECD Global Science Forum, and representatives from research funding organisations, government, academia, industry, and the wider international research and innovation community, for a networking reception, hosted at the British Library. Session on Curiosity-Driven Research in a Mission-Driven World Wednesday 28 October, 09:00-12:30, Royal College of Physicians This UKRI-led high-level forum will explore the role of curiosity-driven research in addressing societal and economic challenges. Through international perspectives and discussion, participants will explore how research funders can balance support for investigator-led discovery with strategic priorities, identify approaches for maximising the wider benefits of basic research, and consider opportunities for greater global collaboration on curiosity-driven research. If you have any questions, please contact us by emailing curiosityweek@ukri.org