Sêr Cymru IV: Economy Minister announces £10m to support scientific research in Wales

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has announced a new funding round worth £10m over two years (2023-24 & 2024-25) for the internationally recognised Sêr Cymru programme to help build a “strong and dynamic” scientific research base in Wales.

The Sêr Cymru programme was set up to ensure science plays its full part in supporting the economic and national development of Wales. 

Over the past 11 years the Sêr Cymru programme has adapted to align with changing research, development & innovation drivers, which in turn have responded to economic and health issues such as the aftermath of leaving the EU and impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. It has generated over £252 million in research income as a return for £110 million investment by Welsh Government, successfully building research capacity and capability in Wales.

The investment has:

• Phase I and II supported a number of high-profile Research Chairs and rising stars, 115 Research Fellowships, 340 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, and 9 rising stars for research projects in Supported.
• Phase III provided £2.5M funding to Welsh Universities for 40 novel research projects that could contribute to - or boost - the advancement of research that impacts Covid-19. More recently further funding (£2.3 million) was provided to five Welsh universities (Cardiff, Bangor, Cardiff Metropolitan, Swansea and Aberystwyth) to purchase equipment for the interdisciplinary research areas such as healthcare, compound semiconductors and hydrogen generation and low carbon and nuclear.

The launch of the new phase IV will support the missions within the Welsh Government’s new Innovation Strategy for Wales, which sets out the aim for Wales to be a leading innovation-based nation. Sêr Cymru is an important delivery component of the Strategy.

In order to maximise the benefits to Wales from this next round of funding, the programme will focus on the following priorities:

• Low carbon
• Life sciences
• Advanced engineering
• Advanced computing

In close consultation with stakeholders, it is expected that the top three activities which will be funded include:

• PhD Studentships
• Capacity building awards
• National Research Networks

The programme aligns with the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience and Reconstruction Mission, including ambitions such as retaining talent, attracting talent, upskilling, and improving connectivity.

Announcing Sêr Cymru IV, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said:

“Science has a huge and essential contribution to make in meeting the diverse challenges faced by Wales and the rest of the world.

“I’m delighted with the progress Sêr Cymru has already made. Thanks to Sêr Cymru, we have brought truly excellent research and researchers to Wales.

“To this end, the Welsh Government is determined to continue to build a strong and dynamic scientific research base here in Wales. Retention, upskilling and attracting talent will be key to achieving our objectives as set out in our Innovation Strategy.

“The investment I’m announcing today shows Wales is a progressive, confident country which is open for business and international collaboration.”

Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales, Professor Jas Pal Badyal FRS said:

“Science is pivotal for Wales’ economic success. Sêr Cymru aims to continue to promote and support the delivery of world-leading, high-impact scientific research across Wales. This is crucial if we are to develop the disruptive innovations needed to address and solve the socioeconomic challenges faced in Wales and the wider world today.

“A focus on excellence in science will help drive increases in competitiveness within the research sector. This will, in turn, support the strengthening of research capability and capacity in Wales and increase our leverage in accessing funding from UK and overseas sources. 

“The £10m investment in next stage of Sêr Cymru will not only help maximise the contribution of the higher education research sector in Wales, but it will also support other interventions - not least those to inspire and nurture the future generations of scientists on which so much will depend.”

The previous phase of Sêr Cymru remains operational until the end of June 2023, when European funding for the programme comes to an end.