SFC news published since 2018. See SFC archived content for earlier news articles.
Scottish universities are set to receive £11.8m for their work through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) this year.
The GCRF is a £1.5 billion UK fund to support cutting-edge research that addresses the challenges faced by developing countries.
This year £11.8m in GCRF funding has been allocated to SFC by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), up from £2m in 2017-18.
Since 2016-17 GCRF has supported more than 400 projects led by Scottish universities, involving over 70 developing countries.
These include the development of an award-winning, low cost ophthalmology tool for health care workers in under-resourced countries (St Andrews), interdisciplinary research into the implications of teaching in English or native languages (University of Glasgow), and ongoing research into simple treatment systems to ensure safe drinking water for people and livestock (Robert Gordon University).
SFC Director of Research & Innovation Dr Stuart Fancey said:
“Our strategy to support Scotland’s world-leading research includes an ambition to increase the global reputation and standing of our universities, through international connections and collaborations.
“Scottish universities’ research is making a real difference to the lives of people in a number of developing nations. SFC is pleased to partner with BEIS and these universities to help GCRF funding support research that responds to needs and opportunities in those countries, contributing to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
“The national and international dimensions to poverty and inequality are interlinked. Scotland cannot act with credibility overseas, if we are blind to inequality here at home. And our ambitions for a fairer Scotland are undermined, without global action to tackle poverty, promote prosperity and to tackle climate change.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Scotland’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.
