The Moredun Research Institute (MRI) is proud to join 34 of the UK’s foremost research agencies and institutes in launching the National Research Organisations (NRO) Group, a new alliance dedicated to advancing science for the benefit of people, communities, the economy and national priorities.
Through this collaboration, MRI brings more than a century of world-leading expertise in animal health and welfare research to a collective effort aimed at providing a unified and authoritative voice on science, policy, and research investment.
The NRO Group was established to address fragmentation across the UK research landscape and to unlock the full potential of national research organisations. By improving strategic alignment, visibility, and governance across the sector, the Group will act as a trusted interface for government, academia, and industry. This will help ensure that science-based insight informs decision making, boosts national resilience, and supports progress towards net zero and UK environmental goals.
As a member of the NRO Group, Moredun will contribute its specialist knowledge in livestock disease prevention and control, supporting sustainable agriculture, rural economies, and food security across the UK.
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 many agencies and institutes that provide unique national and international capabilities. Their principal purpose is to perform curiosity-driven as well as focused, full-time research — from searching for new antibiotics to developing the clean jet engines of the future. For MRI, this includes pioneering work to prevent and control infectious diseases of livestock, delivering research that directly benefits farmers, veterinarians, policymakers, and rural communities.
Dr Stuart Wainwright, NRO Group Director and CEO of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, said:
“I’ve worked with many NROs over the last 25 years and have consistently been inspired by how their science improves lives, drives growth and ensures our national security. Through the new NRO Group we aim to do even more good for the nation and our people.”
Find out more: https://nrogroup.org/
NRO participant organisations
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
- AWE Nuclear Security Technologies
- British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
- British Geological Survey (BGS)
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS)
- James Hutton Institute (JHI)
- John Innes Centre (JIC)
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Medical Sciences (MRC LMS)
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC LMB)
- Met Office
- Moredun Research Institute
