05 Dec 2000
Scotland Office Minister, Brian Wilson said that science projects at Edinburgh and Glasgow universities would receive a major cash boost towards their work as a result of extra funding being announced by the Government today.
The Scottish beneficiaries of the new funding are:
Hailing the awards as a shot in the arm for scientific research in Scotland, Scotland Office Minister Brian Wilson said today:
"In the field of scientific research, we face a clear choice between continuing the cycle of cuts in spending and decline in our science base, or investing in research and providing new chances for new work to be done. We have chosen the path of investment, and these awards demonstrate our commitment to this long-neglected area.
"Scottish universities in particular have a long tradition of pioneering scientific research, which we are committed to maintaining. Investment in scientific research is ultimately an investment in our future, which will serve to keep the UK at the forefront of worldwide science, and make a valuable contribution to our country’s prosperity."
NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS
1. This is the latest round of awards to universities under the Joint Infrastructure Fund (JIF). A total of £729m - £440m from Government and £289m from the Wellcome Trust – has been given under the scheme. Since it was launched two years ago, more than 100 projects have benefited from the JIF initiative.
2. Grants from the Joint Infrastructure Fund (JIF) totalling £125m are to be given to 28 research projects throughout the UK. The Fund is run jointly by the Department of Trade and Industry, the Wellcome Trust and the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The exact amounts for each grant are subject to negotiation.