On Wednesday 14 September, the Department of Health announced an £816 million investment in biomedical research centres. The funds are provided through the five-year-long Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) awards, administered by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
In response, Professor Sir Robert Lechler, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences said;
“Investing £816 million in 20 biomedical research centres makes a strong and welcome statement of this Government’s ambitions for the UK medical research sector. The increasing challenge of delivering world-class health care against the backdrop of an ageing population and global health threats, such as antimicrobial resistance, means that supporting our scientists to translate their breakthroughs into patient benefits is more vital than ever.
"This funding acknowledges and strengthens clusters of excellence across the nation, helping the UK to attract and retain the talented people we need to develop new medical treatments. It is another demonstration of the role of the National Institute for Health Research in ensuring the UK invests in research to improve our health and prosperity over the long term.”