£33m funding for Welsh research students

19 Nov 2009

Hundreds of research students are to benefit from a new £33m EU-backed scheme in Wales.

Hundreds of students are to be given the funding needed to pursue higher education research through a new programme being launched by universities in Wales.

Backed by European Union funds, the new Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship (Kess) programme will see funding offered for more than 400 PhD and masters courses over the next few years.

With £33 million earmarked for the initiative, students will benefit from annual bursaries of up to £13,300, with Kess set to focus on some of the key knowledge-based areas of the Welsh economy, including its health and bioscience research sectors.

Launching the programme, Welsh education minister Jane Hutt said: "It is vital that we develop highly skilled, adaptable employees in order to support the transformation of the Welsh economy.

"Equipping individuals with the skills for R&D careers will make an important contribution to this transformation as they take up positions in Welsh companies and deploy their expertise."

Earlier this year, Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Glamorgan and Swansea universities announced plans to boost levels of cooperation so as to carry on with their research efforts through the economic downturn.