UK commits over 30 million euro to increasing the number of permanent academic positions for young researchers

Brussels, 15 Mar 2004

The UK has launched a new scheme aimed at helping young researchers to obtain a permanent academic position.

The Academic Fellowship scheme will have a budget of 23 million GBP (33.7 million euro). Currently, there is no straightforward career ladder for PhD students wishing to progress in university research, and the funding, which will go to universities, is aimed at resolving this.

The initiative was launched by Sir David King, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK government. 'It is vital that UK universities attract the most gifted PhD students if our reputation for academic excellence is to continue and improve,' he said at the launch. 'We want the best brains to stay and succeed in science for the benefit of this country.'

Higher education institutions have until mid-May to submit applications for Fellowship funding in their priority subject areas. Once the outcome of the applications has been announced, the institutions will advertise open competitions for the Fellowship posts. The government envisages creating up to 200 new five year Fellowship posts every year.

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