KTN welcomes £300 million government investment in the mathematical sciences

The government has announced a major support package over the next five years that will reach across all mathematical disciplines.

 

 

Professor Philip Bond, author of the 2018 KTN and EPSRC supported report, titled ‘The Era of Mathematics’ welcomes this investment:

 

“We rely on innovation to drive higher productivity and thus living standards in the UK. Approximately 50% of the growth in productivity in recent decades has derived from the development and uptake of innovative processes and technologies. My review in 2018 made the case for mathematical science as arguably the single most pervasive and powerful engine of innovation.

This investment through UKRI recognises the vital, underpinning role of the mathematical sciences. The vision set by my review recommended increased investment in mathematical science research, infrastructure and a strengthening in mathematical science governance in the UK. I am truly delighted to see the recent announcements reflect these recommendations ‚Äì There can be fewer more productive, creative and exciting investments than investing in mathematics”.

 

This major investment commits to:

• ¬£19 million per year for PhD studentships, doubling the current funding
• ¬£34 million per year additional funding for career pathways and new research projects, including multi-institutional projects and programmes.
• ¬£7 million per year additional funding for the Heilbronn Institute (Bristol), Isaac Newton Institute (Cambridge) and the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences (Edinburgh).

 

The Bond Review highlighted the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research (HIMR), the Isaac Newton Institute (INI) and the International Centre for Mathematical Science (ICMS) as examples of best practice in mathematical science knowledge exchange.

 

“The Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research (HIMR) warmly welcomes the new funding commitment from the government in relation to its support for mathematics in the UK”, says HIMR Chair, Professor Jon Keating FRS.

“The additional investment in HIMR, expected to be £4 million per annum, will enable the Institute to double its support for PhD students and to expand significantly the recently created Heilbronn Doctoral Training Partnership.  It will also enable HIMR to substantially increase the number of Heilbronn Research Fellowships it offers.  In addition, it will enable HIMR to increase its support for mathematical events across the UK, as well as to expand its small grant scheme that funds focused research activities.”

 

Professor Paul Glendinning, Scientific Director, ICMS Edinburgh says of the announcement: “The International Centre for Mathematical Sciences (ICMS) is delighted that the government has recognised the impact of mathematical research across society. The new funding will transform the level of support that ICMS offers for research activities, connecting researchers in the UK mathematical sciences community with each other, international partners, other disciplines, as well as industrial and public sectors. It will also enable ICMS to increase its support for early career researchers, considered vital for the strong development and growth of UK science, and to encourage international participants to extend their visits beyond ICMS to maximise the benefits that such visits bring to the UK.”

 

Professor David Abrahams, Director of the Isaac Newton Institute also welcomed the news: “The recent announcement of £300m additional support for the mathematical sciences is recognition by the government and UKRI of the intrinsic value of mathematics, its past chronic underfunding, the need to enhance the people pipeline, and its huge benefit to society through its impact. Novel advanced mathematical sciences research, ranging across the spectrum from pure mathematics to applied statistics, is badly needed in this complex and rapidly changing world.

I am therefore delighted that the Isaac Newton Institute is receiving a substantial uplift in its funding through this new money. It will enable us to better meet the demand by increasing both our long and short term international visitor research programmes, and to expand the variety and number of our interdisciplinary and knowledge exchange workshops through our impact arm, the Newton Gateway to Mathematics.”

 

“KTN welcomes this investment which recognises that the mathematical sciences are a major component of the innovation ecosystem in the UK, vital for economic growth and improved productivity. We look forward to supporting UKRI in its delivery of this exciting development”, says Dr Matt Butchers, Knowledge Transfer Manager for Industrial Mathematics.