STEM vs. Humanities: Trends in Scholarship Funding Priorities in the UK and EU Post-Brexit**

I. Introduction

• Brexit triggered a shift in education policy and funding strategies across the UK and EU.
• With rising demand for tech talent and political emphasis on “innovation economies,” STEM fields have seen increased support, often at the expense of humanities and arts.
• This paper analyzes how scholarship funding priorities have evolved post-Brexit—and what it means for academic diversity, research equity, and international mobility.

II. Pre-Brexit Baseline: Balanced Funding Priorities

• Overview of EU-era programs like Erasmus+, Horizon 2020, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions that supported both STEM and humanities research.
• UK domestic funding through AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council) and EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) with relatively equitable support.

III. Post-Brexit Shifts in the UK

1. Strategic Focus on STEM Innovation

• Launch of Turing Scheme (Erasmus+ replacement) with emphasis on STEM mobility.
• UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships skewed toward AI, quantum, engineering, health tech.
• Decline in new funding calls from AHRC post-2021.

2. Scholarship Funding Trends

• Chevening and Commonwealth programs adjusting thematic priorities to align with science, climate, and security.
• Russell Group universities directing more merit-based scholarships to computing, engineering, and biotech programs.

IV. EU Trends Post-Brexit

1. Expansion of STEM in Horizon Europe

• €95.5 billion budget with heavy emphasis on:
  • Green Deal technologies
  • Digital transformation
  • Health and climate resilience

2. Squeeze on Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies

• Fewer standalone humanities calls; preference for cross-cutting research under “societal challenges.”
• Erasmus+ maintains liberal arts mobility, but with more funding earmarked for digital and STEM-related training.

V. Comparative Data Snapshot

VI. Implications and Consequences

For Academia:

• STEM growth = institutional prestige and research output
• Humanities departments face shrinking budgets, fewer fellowships, and declining enrollment

For Equity and Inclusion:

• Risk of disciplinary elitism—devaluing cultural studies, ethics, philosophy
• Students in emerging economies drawn toward fundable disciplines, limiting intellectual diversity

For Policy:

• Calls for rebalancing funding priorities and defending the public value of humanities in policymaking, ethics, and social cohesion

VII. Recommendations

For UK Policymakers:

• Protect AHRC and social science budgets post-UKRI reviews
• Ensure Turing Scheme parity with Erasmus+ for humanities fields
• Support interdisciplinary fellowships (e.g., AI + Ethics, Health + Humanities)

For EU Institutions:

• Maintain dedicated humanities funding within Horizon Europe
• Encourage equal access to mobility across disciplines, not just tech-driven sectors
• Incentivize humanities-tech collaborations in EU Green Deal and digital transition initiatives

VIII. Conclusion

• The post-Brexit landscape favors STEM—and while innovation matters, the exclusion of humanities weakens critical thinking, cultural awareness, and ethical oversight in science-driven societies.
• Balanced scholarship funding isn’t just fair—it’s essential for a sustainable, inclusive future in higher education.

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