09/09/2015

£17m Funding For Scientific Research In Wales

More than £17m will be invested to increase Wales' world-class scientific research, it has been announced.

The Welsh Government has secured £7m from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND scheme, which is part of the EU Horizon 2020 programme. In partnership with universities in Wales, the government will provide £10m match-funding and work with researchers in Wales, based at Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities, as well as the University of South Wales.

The funds will be used to bring up to 90 new research fellows from across Europe to grow Wales' scientific research.

The project follows on from the success of the £50m Sêr Cymru programme. This brought international scientific talent to research chairs at Wales' universities and created three new national research networks.

The research fellowships are aimed at candidates with three to five years' postdoctoral research experience who wish to work in Wales.

Welcoming the investment, Economy and Science Minister, Edwina Hart, said: "Science underpins innovation and technology development which is essential for economic growth and creating high quality jobs. That is why we are investing in research and building on the excellent work that is already going on in Wales.

"This scheme will build on the £50m Sêr Cymru programme to increase the capacity of existing world class research projects happening at universities across Wales. I hope to announce further initiatives by the end of this year."

Professor Julie Williams, Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales, added: "Securing this funding from COFUND against stiff competition from across Europe is a massive vote of confidence in Welsh scientific research. The Research Excellence Framework 2014 proved Wales is delivering truly world class research but we need more of it to deliver lasting economic and social benefits.

"Welsh research is having an impact and our scientists more frequently collaborate internationally than those in other parts of the UK. This new fund will ensure that excellent work can grow and deliver even more."

(JP)

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