Forum Brief: Science funding

The government has announced a £1 billion programme of science investment.

Forum Response: Natural Environment Research Council

A spokesman for the Natural Environment Research Council told ePolitix.com: "NERC welcomes the extra funding to improve the facilities in universities. It will create a firmer basis for the universities to make good use of the research grants that we provide and improve the quality of research outputs."

Forum Response: Pfizer

A spokesman for Pfizer told ePolitix.com: "Pfizer was delighted to hear that the government is beginning to make up for a decade of under investment in science and the science base.

"It is imperative, that if the UK is to maintain its prominent position in world science, investment is made to encourage children from an early age to gain an interest in science.

"This has to be followed by the development of an appropriate national curriculum, which can help to further enthuse young people and help to prepare them for studying science at further and higher education.

"For this reason we welcome the government's announcements regarding improvement for secondary schools' science labs, the new and potentially exciting GCSE and post 16 science courses and their 14 to 19 initiative.

"In particular, we welcome their initiative in establishing a National Network of Science Learning Centres, consisting of a National Centre (funded by Wellcome Trust) and up to nine regional centres in England (funded by the DfES). This will go a long way to help the science teaching profession to keep up to date with the latest advances in science and science teaching.

"Pfizer supports the government in its determination to maintain the science base by developing and implementing various initiatives. We encourage our scientists to work in local primary schools, as well as hosting weekly visits to the research labs to enthuse A Level science students.

"We provide equipment for science labs and annual grants that enable schools to purchase the most recent equipment themselves. Pfizer have also invested £400,000 during 2001 in teacher training institutes, specifically for student science teachers. This has enabled them to teach the very latest biotechnology in schools, such as DNA finger printing and gene transfer."

Forum Response: PPARC

Professor Ian Halliday, chief executive of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, the UK's strategic science investment agency, told ePolitix.com: "This new cash injection to universities is to be welcomed. It will ensure our research scientists have the necessary equipment and facilities in which to conduct their world-leading research."However, if this investment is to be really effective then it has to be aligned to science priorities as identified by the Research Councils. So PPARC looks forward to constructive discussions with the universities to our mutual benefit."

Forum Response: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Professor John O'Reilly, chief executive of EPSRC, told ePolitix.com: "This announcement is greatly to be welcomed. EPSRC looks forward to working with our university partners to ensure that collectively we fully realise the potential for science, engineering and technology research of these substantial infrastructure investments."

Forum Response: Imperial College

A spokesman for Imperial College told ePolitix.com: "Imperial College London welcomes a much-needed funding boost of £62.8 million from the Science Research Investment Fund which will be used to continue the renewal of failing and ageing infrastructure throughout the College's estate in west London and the southeast."