Science
Government announces £50 million to support early career researchers
The Government has announced £50 million to support charity funded early career researchers, in a move hailed by medical research charities.
We have been awarded £3.5 million funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, a vital boost which will help us to support 37 researchers in the early stages of their careers for one year, including clinical research training fellowships. Overall, the scheme will support over 1,200 early career researchers across the sector.
Medical research charities play a unique role in the UK’s R&D ecosystem, investing in high quality research which not only saves lives but also boosts the economy.
Announced by science minister George Freeman on Sunday, this is the second year of the scheme supporting early career researchers, who are a critical part of the UK research community.
It follows tireless campaigning from us, alongside the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and other member charities, calling on Government to safeguard charity-funded research as the sector recovered from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘Supercharging research’
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, our Chief Executive, said: “Charity funded research has powered breakthroughs that have transformed millions of lives. But, for people living with a life-threatening heart condition, the next discovery can’t come soon enough.
“This funding is not only an investment in the researchers of today – it will also help to safeguard the research workforce of tomorrow who can build on the strength of UK science, supercharging research to find the treatments and cures of the future.”