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Exeter secures £2 million funding to train tomorrow’s scientists and engineers

Exeter secures £2 million funding to train tomorrow’s scientists and engineers

The Government is investing more than £2 million in the University of Exeter to train the next generation of innovators in physical science subjects, it has been announced.

The cash boost will contribute towards funding up to 28 additional PhD studentships, offering sector-leading training and development alongside Exeter’s outstanding facilities and resources. The studentships will be within the key discipline areas of Physics, Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

The money has come via the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and is part of a wider £184 million national investment, over two years, into doctoral training across 41 universities.

Professor Tim Harries, Chair of the EPSRC Strategy Group and Director of Research for the Physics and Astronomy department at the University of Exeter said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received this significant training grant from the EPSRC, and we look forward to the providing the next generation of researchers the world-class training that this award will support”.

Business Secretary Greg Clark MP, who announced the major national investment in science and engineering today (February 1st 2018), said: “Doctoral Training Partnerships have an excellent record of providing universities with funding that supports doctoral students as they undertake ground-breaking research. This research and expertise underpins the creation of innovative companies like YASA Motors.

“Through our commitment to increasing research and development funding by a further £2.3 billion to 2021/22, we are ensuring that the next generation of engineers and scientists will continue to thrive under our modern and ambitious Industrial Strategy.”

EPSRC’s Chief Executive, Professor Philip Nelson, said: “This year we are allocating £184 million to universities via Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs). These will cover a two year period, giving institutions certainty and time to plan their DTP programmes, and support excellent doctoral students. 

The DTPs have produced some outstanding examples of new thinking and helped further the careers of a new generation of researchers who will be the leaders of the future.”

The funding is a part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to UK science, with a record £6.9 billion invested in science labs and equipment up to 2021, and protection of the science budget at £4.7 billion per year in real terms for the rest of the parliament.

Date: 1 February 2018

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