Trailblazing Scheme Celebrates Quarter Century Of Funding The Best Science

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 20 Nov 2008 - 4:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

A groundbreaking funding scheme which has supported more than 900 leading scientists in the UK is today celebrating a quarter of a century since its launch. Past and present holders of the Royal Society University Research Fellowships will gather at an event in London tonight to mark the 25th anniversary of the Society's flagship grant scheme.

The Royal Society University Research Fellowship (URF) scheme was first launched at the beginning of 1983 to counteract the threat to the long-term health of British science caused by the lack of vacancies in regular academic research posts. Unlike other schemes at the time, awards were made and continue to be made on the basis of individual merit rather than to fill teaching gaps in university departments. This gives fellows flexibility to move between institutions and more time to focus on research.

With an annual budget of £20 million, the URF scheme currently supports over 300 high quality researchers across all the scientific disciplines, including engineering and medicine. Current researchers include Dr Tim Wright, whose research aims to understand the underlying physics of continental deformation in the hopes of making significant progress in forecasting earthquakes and volcanic eruption. Dr Nicholas Grassly's work at Imperial College London studies the threat of infectious diseases and the impact of control programmes through disease surveillance initiatives. His work is now playing a central role in the planning of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Lord Rees, President of the Royal Society, said:

"The University Research Fellowship scheme was the first of its kind and its success is evident in the number of similar schemes that have emulated it. At the time of its launch it played a crucial role in ensuring that the UK would have a strong base of scientific leaders for years to come. Today, it is more important than ever for the UK to sustain the quality of our universities, to compete successfully in innovative technologies, and to address global challenges; the URF scheme offers our best young scientists optimum conditions for developing their careers."

The scheme has benefited from long-term support given by the Government and a close working relationship with the Department of Science, Innovation and Skills (DIUS) ensures it continues to evolve to meet new challenges. Remarking on the scheme, Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Science and Innovation, said:

"The Royal Society's University Research Fellowship scheme is as relevant today as it was 25 years ago. There will always be a need to develop outstanding scientists and engineers in the UK and the track record of the scientists who have passed through this scheme are testament to its success.

"Developing and retaining scientific talent in the UK is a key priority for this government. We have supported this scheme from the outset and consider it a key investment for the future, which is why the Government is allocating £68m over the next three years. I congratulate and thank all University Research Fellows, past and present, for their significant contribution to UK science."

Professor Frances Ashcroft FRS was one of the first University Research Fellows, beginning her fellowship in 1985. Since 2000 she has held the Royal Society GlaxoSmithKline Research Professorship at the University Laboratory of Physiology, Oxford. Commenting on the URF scheme, she said:

"Being awarded a Royal Society University Research Fellowship transformed my life, and my science. It gave me independence, flexibility and the opportunity to focus on research at a critical stage of my career."

Dr Tara Shears is a particle physicist at the University of Liverpool and has recently completed her University Research Fellowship. Speaking about her time as a URF, she said:

"It's difficult to overstate the importance my URF has had in helping me establish my career. It has been a fantastic opportunity to learn my craft as a scientist - to have had the freedom to spend the extra time needed to develop, carry out and plan the best research. Now, at the end of it, I'm in a position to see where good science can be carried out and, what's more, make it happen."

1. The Royal Society is an independent academy promoting the natural and applied sciences. Founded in 1660, the Society has three roles, as the UK academy of science, as a learned Society, and as a funding agency. It responds to individual demand with selection by merit, not by field. As we prepare for our 350th anniversary in 2010, we are working to achieve five strategic priorities, to:

- Invest in future scientific leaders and in innovation
- Influence policymaking with the best scientific advice
- Invigorate science and mathematics education
- Increase access to the best science internationally
- Inspire an interest in the joy, wonder and excitement of scientific discovery

Nicola Kane
Press and Public Relations
The Royal Society, London
The Royal Society

• Additional
• References
• Citations