Major funding announced for bioscience students

The SWDTP comprising the GW4 universities of Exeter, Bristol, Bath, and Cardiff and the world-renowned agricultural institute Rothamsted Research will receive £8 million from the BBSRC for this specialised training.

The new programme, to be called ‘South West Bioscience’ (SWBio), will focus training in two high-priority areas: ‘Agriculture and Food Security’ and ‘World-Class Underpinning Biosciences’.

Professor Murray Grant, the University of Exeter’s SWBio’s representative said: “We are excited to be able to bring the world class expertise and infrastructure of our GW4 partners together into an interdisciplinary programme. SWBio will train the next generation of UK scientists to confront future grand challenges such as tackling global food security”.

Professor Leo Brady, Director of SWBio, said: “Funding of this new doctoral training programme reflects the internationally renowned strength of biosciences research within the GW4 alliance. Our students will benefit immensely from the expertise and superb facilities available across GW4.”

The funding was announced by Business Secretary Vince Cable, as part of a £125 million package over five years to support the training and development of 1,250 PhD students.

The funding will train students in world-class bioscience to lead the next industrial revolution and boost the economy by building on UK strengths in agriculture, food, industrial biotechnology, bioenergy and health. The investment has been made by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

Vince Cable said: “The UK punches far beyond its weight in science and innovation globally, which is a credit to our talented scientists and first-class universities. This new funding will safeguard Britain’s status as a world leader in life sciences and agricultural technology.”