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From advanced biology to the science of sheep health - new government funding for doctoral training partnership

Posted 24 October 2019

A consortium of Midlands research-active universities, including Harper Adams, has just been awarded more than £20 million to build on the region’s already significant bio-economy and success in life sciences and agricultural research.

ÎÞÂ붯»­ is a new partner in The Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership 2020 (MIBTP2020), led by the School of Life Sciences at the University of Warwick, alongside University of Leicester and Aston University.

The partnership has been arm of the Government’s UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding organisation, which will be matched by the universities in the partnership to fund a total of 245 doctoral students (59 per year) over the next five years.

Professor Peter Mills, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at ÎÞÂ붯»­, said: “I am confident that as part of this strong Midlands university consortium that Harper Adams will contribute to developing much-needed higher-level skills within the sector. This is an amazing opportunity for the Midlands to grow its own talent.”

Professor Pam Thomas, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of Warwick, said: “We are pleased to see that this funding promotes collaboration across the Midlands and pools together ideas, equipment, skills and facilities to drive Midlands bioscience forward. Together we will be able to open up new avenues of research, by combining our interdisciplinary strengths and advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, state-of-the-art technology facilities for measurement, imaging and analysis, sustainable agriculture and food and ecosystems, links to industry and the public and much, much more.”

Announcing all the awards to the Doctoral Training Partnerships, Professor Melanie Welham, UKRI-BBSRC’s Executive Chair said: “The success of the UK’s science sector and the consequent benefits to society and the economy relies on great researchers doing great work. Our Doctoral Training Partnerships have already supported the training of hundreds of early-career scientists working at the cutting edge of biology and biotechnology. By continuing to fund, through this significant £170 million investment, vital training of the next generation of researchers we will help ensure that the UK consolidates its position as world-leader in this crucial sector.”