British government gives major boost to S&T funding

The British government is hiking the science funding of its key ministry supporting university research, by committing to increase the annual budget of the Department of Trade and Industry by 31% by FY05-06. The increase - part of a $148-billion public services spending package - will boost the science budget from $4.94 billion this year to $7.16 billion by FY05-06. That includes an additional $988 million for research grants and $247 million for the salaries of young researchers. By FY05-06, the stipend for PhD students will exceed $32,000 annually. New funding will also be devoted to renovations for university laboratories, as well as $296.4 million more for research overhead and funding to assist in company spin-offs. Most of the increases will be distributed through the granting councils, although the precise allocation won’t be announced until later this year. The budget of the Office of Science and Technology will see its budget for large scientific facilities more than doubled to $506 million. The Department of Education and Skills is also receiving funds to improve science, engineering, technology and mathematics education....