A long-running programme designed to bring scientific talent to research posts in Wales has received a multi-million pound investment boost. The Sêr Cymru programme has received £10m from the Welsh Government via a new funding round which will be delivered over two years (2023-24 & 2024-25), Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has announced.
The programme aims to improve sector collaboration through its links with academia, industries and businesses, and has generated over £252m in research income as a return for £110m investment by the Welsh Government in the last 11 years.
Now in its fourth phase, the programme will focus on developing disruptive innovations to solve socioeconomic challenges in Wales, prioritising low carbon, life sciences, advanced engineering and advanced computing. The latest investment will fund PhD Studentships, capacity building awards, and national research networks.
Read more: Welsh marina group goes into administration
Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said: “Science has a huge and essential contribution to make in meeting the diverse challenges faced by Wales and the rest of the world.
“I’m delighted with the progress Sêr Cymru has already made, particularly with the Tech Valleys programme. Thanks to Sêr Cymru, we have brought truly excellent research and researchers to Wales.
“To this end, the Welsh Government is determined to continue to build a strong and dynamic scientific research base here in Wales. Retention, upskilling and attracting talent will be key to achieving our objectives as set out in our Innovation Strategy.
“The investment I’m announcing today shows Wales is a progressive, confident country which is open for business and international collaboration.”
Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales, Professor Jas Pal Badyal FRS said: “Science is pivotal for Wales’ economic success. Sêr Cymru aims to continue to promote and support the delivery of world-leading, high-impact scientific research across Wales.
“This is crucial if we are to develop the disruptive innovations needed to address and solve the socioeconomic challenges faced in Wales and the wider world today.
“A focus on excellence in science will help drive increases in competitiveness within the research sector. This will, in turn, support the strengthening of research capability and capacity in Wales and increase our leverage in accessing funding from Ƶ and overseas sources.
“The £10m investment in the next stage of Sêr Cymru will not only help maximise the contribution of the higher education research sector in Wales, but it will also support other interventions - not least those to inspire and nurture the future generations of scientists on which so much will depend.”
Sign up to the BusinessLive Wales newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn
As well as an in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts. To sign up to this service
And, follow us on to catch the latest stories and to network with the Welsh business community.
READ NEXT:
One of Wales' biggest food firms goes into administration with more than 200 jobs lost
Welsh Government not doing enough to develop EV infrastructure
The father-and-son Welsh bottling start-up that's seen revenues climb 900%
Llanelli tech firm signs five-year sponsorship deal with home of Cardiff Devils
