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European cash funds Scottish life science innovation

European Regional Development Fund gave  £9.3million to help harness the economic potential of Scotland’s world-leading research and create 740 jobs.

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond claimed that the investment would strengthen ties between the research sector and the business community in the country by commercialising knowledge.

In recent years Scotland has become one of the world’s leading authorities on life sciences, a growing sector which contributes £3billion annually to the countries economy.

Speaking at University of Aberdeen (UoA) Salmond said: “Scotland is a world leader in technology, innovation and enterprise – our scientists have been at the forefront of innovations such as Dolly the sheep, keyhole surgery and renewable energy technologies.

“It’s important that our academics and entrepreneurs have access to support, particularly in this challenging economic climate, so that they can stay at the forefront of their fields, realise their potential, seize opportunities, expand, invest and contribute to sustainable economic growth.”

Institutes which will benefit from the funding include:

  • UoA: Life Science Innovation (£2.6 million)
  • University of Edinburgh: Scottish Environmental Technology Network Phase Two (£408,137)
  • Edinburgh Napier University: Institute for Wood Products(£665,387), the Edinburgh Climate Change Centre (ECCC) (£613,872), Business & Technology Hub (£1million) and Construction Industry Advancement Centre (£761,129)
  • University of Abertay Dundee: Commercialisation and Enterprise Development (£321,399)
  • University of Strathclyde: Executive Director Designate Programme 1 (£675,000) and Medical Devices Knowledge Exchange Initiative (£307,904)
  • Fife Council: Fife Renewables Business Innovation & Incubation Hub (£125,377) and Fife Renewable Hub Capital (£750,000)
  • Institute for System Level Integration: Development of Research and Innovation in Electronic Systems (£352,960)
  • Bioscience Network Ltd: Biosciences Knowledge Transfer Network (£705,167)

 

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