The UK’s medical research industry is set to be boosted by a £50m funding injection as the Government move to safeguard the future of its world-class life sciences sector.
The investment was announced by Science, Research and Innovation Minister, George Freeman, over the weekend and signifies the Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting the careers of early medical researchers, with over 1,200 young professionals expected to benefit.
The funding will be given to 90 charities across the UK including £2.8m to work on researching how to prevent, cure and care for those with dementia. Another £1.3m will be ringfenced for brain tumour charities, whilst a further £1.7m will be given to motor neurone disease charities.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan, hopes the investment will “inspire a new wave of budding researchers” that can drive further ground-breaking medical advancements and better the lives of those most affected by some of the world’s most deadly diseases.
Health Minister, Will Quince, described the move as the Government cementing its position as a “global leader” in the life sciences sector as the journey to delivering improved public health raises up another notch.
The Medical Research Charities Early Career Researchers Support Fund was originally launched in 2021 to give organisations in the sector financial security amidst the volatile economic landscape of the pandemic.
Administered by the Medical Research Council in conjunction with UK Research and Innovation, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is providing £45m of the funding with the Department for Health and Social Care fronting the residual £5m, with charities of all shapes and sizes to benefit, including:
- Yorkshire Cancer Research
- Wessex Medical Trust
- Alzheimer’s Society
- Epilepsy Research UK
- North West Cancer Research
- Medical Research Scotland
- Wellbeing of Women
- Leukaemia and Lymphoma NI
- Cancer Research UK
- Cure Leukaemia
- Cystic Fibrosis Trust
- MND Association
These charities are the “jewels in the crown of UK medical research and patient access to medical breakthroughs,” according to George Freeman.
