Wales seeks top researchers after MSCAs win
The Welsh Economy and Science Minister has announced more than £17m of funding to attract 90 research fellows from across Europe.
Minister Edwina Hart said the Welsh Government had secured £7m from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND scheme in order to realise the development which is hoped will boost world-class scientific research in Wales. The new fellows will work with top researchers based at Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities, as well as the University of South Wales.
The research fellowships are aimed at candidates with three to five years postdoctoral research experience who wish to work in Wales. The remaining funds will be provided by the government in Cardiff in partnership with Welsh universities.
Making the announcement, Hart said: “Science underpins innovation and technology development which is essential for economic growth and creating high quality jobs. That is why we are investing in research and building on the excellent work that is already going on in Wales.”
Adding his thoughts, the Vice-Chancellor of Swansea University, Professor Richard B Davies, one of the universities set to benefit, said that COFUND money would “provide a timely opportunity for Welsh Universities to build upon the excellent science base” and would “bring ‘real world’ benefits in innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth” through increased industry co-operation.
Professor Julie Williams, chief scientific adviser for Wales, described the funding as a “massive vote of confidence in Welsh scientific research”.
