Research stars of the future receive £2.9m grant

PA 41/09 The University of Nottingham has been awarded £2.9 million to train Britain's leading scientists and engineers of the future. The cash from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) will be used to attract the brightest and the best talent from across the UK and Europe to undertake postgraduate research at Nottingham, which could potentially lead to advances in our engineering and science knowledge and greater collaboration with industry. The University will use its own resources to match EPSRC's contribution so that up to 90 three and four-year PhD studentships can be offered, mainly in the Faculties of Science and Engineering. These studentships, managed by the University's Graduate School, provide tuition fees and a generous maintenance allowance for successful eligible applicants. Dr Richard Masterman, Director of Research Innovation Services at The University of Nottingham, said: "This grant allows us to offer an attractive package to the nation's potential science and engineering research stars of the future and is crucial in promoting Nottingham as an attractive venue for their innovative work." The award comes as part of an £82 million programme of Doctoral Training Grants from the EPSRC to 45 universities and higher education institutions, which will generate more than 1,200 PhD students nationwide. Professor David Delby, chief executive of the EPSRC, said: "People are at the heart of what we do. These grants mark a significant investment in talented future PhD students who will help drive forward the UK's economy." The DTGs 2009-10 are part of the EPSRC's broader commitment to excellence in Britain's postgraduate research.