York University doubled its research council funding for biological sciences last year, receiving almost £10 million.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council's 2001-02 annual report, published this week, shows the next most successful universities were Cambridge, Manchester and Imperial College, London. York's success was due to Joint Infrastructure Fund money and the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, which opened earlier this year.
The council spent almost £240 million on research, equipment and facilities. Men were three times more successful at securing BBSRC fellowships than women.