Part 3: Research Funding and directions Section 103: Haldane principle, balanced funding and advice from UKRI
This section outlines matters that the Secretary of State has a duty to consider before:
making a grant under section 101; and
determining terms and conditions for such a grant; and
giving a direction under section 102.
	When such a grant or direction is in respect of functions exercisable by one or more of the science and humanities Councils (see section 95), the Secretary of State must have regard to the Haldane principle. The Haldane Principle is defined as the principle that decisions on individual research proposals are best taken following an evaluation of the quality and likely impact of the proposals (such as a peer review process). The text of this definition has been adapted from the Rt Hon David Willetts’ 2010 Written Ministerial Statement on the Haldane Principle, which provides further information.1
	In any case, the Secretary of State must have regard to the balanced funding principle, and any advice provided by UKRI about the allocation of funding in relation to its functions. The balanced funding principle is defined as the principle that it is necessary to ensure that a reasonable balance is achieved in the allocation of funding between functions exercisable by the science and humanities Councils (see section 95) and functions exercisable by Research England (see section 97).
	This section forms part of the law of the United Kingdom.