UK sets aside $61 million for research on cancer, dementia, motor neuron diseases
TCN Service/London
The UK government has announced $61 million to fund new medical research on cancer, dementia and motor neuron diseases that will aid 1,200 early career scientists in solving global health challenges.
UK’s Science Minister George Freeman announced the grant to scientists of 90 charities as per the priorities pushed forward by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The UK government has vowed to invest a record amount of $24 billion in a year by 2024-25.
The grant is being seen by the Sunak administration to fulfil promises and ‘sparking a new wave of revolutionary medical research across the industry, including in dementia, motor neurone disease and brain tumour research’.
Commenting on the development, Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan said, “The next generation of researchers are the key to solving the greatest medical challenges of our times, tackling hundreds of different diseases and conditions, preventing illnesses and developing lifechanging therapies.
By investing in those very people that make up our world-class medical research community, we hope to inspire a new wave of budding researchers that can continue to improve the lives of those affected by these diseases across the UK.
Regional charities operating across the UK such as the Yorkshire Cancer Research and Wessex Medical Trust are included, alongside charities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
Donelan further said, “Over £2.8 million will be delivered to dementia charities, such as the Alzheimer’s Society, supporting early career researchers to defeat dementia by researching the causes, cure, care, and prevention of the disease.
Over £1.3 million will also be delivered to brain tumour charities and over £1.7 million to motor neurone disease charities, two causes that are close to the hearts of many affected by it through their own experiences or that of friends and family across the UK.”
UK Minister of State for Health Will Quince said, “We’re cementing our position as a global leader in life sciences by investing in the next generation of medical researchers to cultivate and harness the innovation of young, pioneering minds and secure the future of our healthcare.”
The Medical Research Charities Early Career Researchers Support Fund (2022-23) is administered by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It is run with the help of the Association of Medical Research Charities.
