RCUK welcomes government announcement of new investment in research

Research Councils UK (RCUK) today welcomes the announcement by the Secretary of State Lord Mandelson of a new investment in two new research projects from the Large Facilities Capital Fund.

Professor Douglas Kell, RCUK Research and Development Group Champion said: “RCUK is committed to supporting excellent research and this new investment in infrastructure is essential if we are to maintain the UK’s world leading research base.”

The two research projects that will benefit from the funding are:

• Diamond Light Source
  A powerful machine that produces intense beams of x-rays, infrared and ultraviolet light allowing the study of liquid, solid and gas samples right down to the scale of molecules and atoms. This new investment will pay for an additional suite of 10 beamlines.
  
  
• New RRS Discovery
  A new ship will be designed and built to replace the old RRS Discovery which is coming to the end of her working life as a research vessel. The new ship will help researchers to answer the biggest environmental questions facing the world now and in the foreseeable future.

RCUK funds excellent research that contributes to a productive economy, healthy society and sustainable world and has helped establish the UK as a world-leading centre for research. Research in the UK has seen 10 years of increased investment, but it is essential that this is sustained in order to maintain this world-leading position.

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Further information

Contact:
Jane Wakefield
RCUK Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592

Notes for editors

1. Diamond Light Source
   Supported by STFC, Diamond is the UK’s national synchrotron facility, a powerful machine that produces intense beams of x-rays, infrared and ultraviolet light allowing the study of liquid, solid and gas samples right down to the scale of molecules and atoms. The facility has already had two phases of funding from the Large Facilities Capital Fund which will deliver 22 beamlines by 2012 for use by 3,000 scientists.
   
   
2. RRS Discovery Supported by the Natural Environment Research Council, the new RRS Discovery ship will help researchers to answer the biggest environmental questions facing us now and in the foreseeable future. The oceans play a pivotal role in the functioning of the Earth system so the ship will enable scientists to gain a better understanding of issues such as those relating to climate change, sea level rise, marine biodiversity and ecosystem structures, and natural hazards.
   
   
3. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. We invest annually around £3 billion in research. Our focus is on excellence with impact. We nurture the highest quality research, as judged by international peer review providing the UK with a competitive advantage. Global research requires we sustain a diversity of funding approaches, fostering international collaborations, and providing access to the best facilities and infrastructure, and locating skilled researchers in stimulating environments. Our research achieves impact – the demonstrable contribution to society and the economy made by knowledge and skilled people. To deliver impact, researchers and businesses need to engage and collaborate with the public, business, government and the third sector. www.rcuk.ac.uk
   
   

   The seven UK Research Councils are:

   • Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
   • Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
   • Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
   • Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
   • Medical Research Council (MRC);
   • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
   • Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).