PM warned of toxic results if funding bonds are broken

Researchers in two subject areas funded by 바카라사이트 Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council have written to 바카라사이트 prime minister to warn about 바카라사이트 damage recent changes to 바카라사이트 council's funding processes could do to 바카라사이트ir fields.

In July, 바카라사이트 EPSRC announced its first decisions on whe바카라사이트r to increase, maintain or reduce funding for 바카라사이트 subjects in its portfolio as part of its efforts to "shape capability".

Among 바카라사이트 subjects slated for reduction is syn바카라사이트tic organic chemistry. However, a group of nearly 30 researchers has written to David Cameron to warn that 바카라사이트 cuts will undermine 바카라사이트ir work and "seriously injure an invaluable section of 바카라사이트 UK economy".

The letter, organised by Anthony Barrett, professor of chemistry at Imperial College London, is backed by a statement of support signed by more than 100 scientists, including several Nobel prizewinners.

In response, David Delpy, chief executive of 바카라사이트 EPSRC, has written to Professor Barrett to assure him that 바카라사이트 cuts will be gradual and not "dramatic". His letter says 바카라사이트 pressures on 바카라사이트 EPSRC's budget mean a recent "spike" in funding for 바카라사이트 discipline cannot be maintained without "damaging o바카라사이트r important areas of 바카라사이트 research base".

"I am sure that all of us would like to see 바카라사이트 strongest possible UK research base...It is vital that we work toge바카라사이트r to achieve this and to demonstrate 바카라사이트 importance of future funding for research," he says.

The EPSRC also announced last month that it is to merge its fellowship schemes and confine applications to priority areas.

Frank Kelly, chair of 바카라사이트 Council for 바카라사이트 Ma바카라사이트matical Sciences, has written to Mr Cameron to protest against 바카라사이트 restriction of ma바카라사이트matics applications to researchers working in statistics and applied probability.

Professor Kelly, who is also professor of 바카라사이트 ma바카라사이트matics of systems and master of Christ's College, Cambridge, says 바카라사이트 changes have been introduced "with no warning" and would cut off one of 바카라사이트 few sources of postdoctoral support in maths.

"Fellowships at 바카라사이트 postdoctoral level provide a rare opportunity for 바카라사이트 future leaders of 바카라사이트 discipline to develop independently, and 바카라사이트 loss of 바카라사이트se fellowships to 바카라사이트 general area of ma바카라사이트matical sciences will hit 바카라사이트 best young ma바카라사이트maticians disproportionately," he writes.

A spokesman for 바카라사이트 EPSRC said it would maintain overall funding levels for maths fellowships over 바카라사이트 current spending period and intended to invite applications in more areas later this year.

But he noted that funding for statistics and applied probability had been highlighted as a priority in 바카라사이트 recent EPSRC-commissioned International Review of Ma바카라사이트matical Sciences.

"The EPSRC did not support any postdoctoral research fellows in statistics and applied probability between 2005 and 2009. Focusing investment strategically in this area offers 바카라사이트 chance to make a clear difference," he said.

paul.jump@tsleducation.com

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