Over 70 New Centres to Train Future Scientists and Engineers

A £350 million fund recently announced by Universities and Science Minister, David Willetts represents the UK's largest investment in postgraduate training in engineering and physical sciences. Allocated by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), it will target areas vital to economic growth, supporting over seventy new Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) spread across 24 UK universities.

Science Minister David Willetts said: “Scientists and engineers are vital to our economy and society. It is their talent and imagination, as well as their knowledge and skills that inspire innovation and drive growth across a range of sectors, from manufacturing to financial services.

“I am particularly pleased to see strong partnerships between universities, industry and business among the new centres announced today. This type of collaboration is a key element of our industrial strategy and will continue to keep us at the forefront of the global science race.”

A total of 1000 partners will be involved in the Centres, leveraging in around £250 million worth of support. Many of the Centres will involve research that connects to key industries and important technologies which will aid innovation and growth. A number of the other Research Councils, including the MRC and BBSRC are also contributing towards Centres with key relevance to their fields of research. EPSRC may announce a further group of Centres if more resource can be secured.

Sir James Dyson, design engineer and founder of Dyson, whose firm is involved in seven CDTs, said: “To compete internationally Britain needs to export world-beating inventions which are the result of intellectual property developed by our companies and universities. We must support British engineers and scientists at all levels, rewarding them properly for their work. This investment is heartening, but genuine research and development takes time. Continuing robust investment is required if we are to see the breakthroughs which will deliver the growth we require.”