100 UK scientists receive more than £100 million for blue skies research

The UK government has backed 100 scientists with a total of £109 million for basic research into global issues such as food supply, cancer diagnosis and dementia treatment.

This so-called future leaders programme is part of the government’s commitment to increase public research spending to 2.4% of GDP by 2027. Over three years and six funding rounds, the programme will offer a total of £900 million, shared among up to 550 fellows. Scientists from academia and industry can apply for grants from £400,000 to £1.5 million running for four to seven years. The emphasis is on blue skies research that might one day be turned into tangible products or services.