Britain to Double Support for Stem Cell Research

Britain’s Pre Budget Report 2005, released Dec. 5, calls for the United Kingdom to double spending for stem cell research to £100M within the next two years and launch a number of new initiatives to sustain innovation and science. The plan also calls for the creation of a National Institute for Health Research to support 10 new university-based centers for excellence in medical research, as many as 250 academic fellowships and 100 clinical lecture training opportunities each year, according to the Press Association.

Also, on the academic front, the budget calls for establishing a new UK-China University Partnership Scheme to support scholarships and encourage academic exchanges and collaboration between centers of excellence in science and technology within the two countries. To encourage in-migration of young foreign scientists and technologists, the government is proposing to allow all international students on completion of post-graduate degree, or an undergraduate degree in a shortage sector, to work in the UK for up to 12 months, benefiting up to 50,000 students.

More information on the Britain’s Pre-Budget Report 2005 is available at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pre_budget_report/prebud_pbr05/prebud_pbr05_index.cfm