Universities receive £38m research funding

Bristol University will receive the lion's share

Universities in the South West are to receive £38m for scientific research.

The funding package was announced by Science Minister Lord Sainsbury as part of the government's £1bn investment in scientific excellence.

The biggest regional share is going to Bristol University, which has been awarded £26m.

Most of the money will go into refurbishing or building laboratories and upgrading equipment, although institutions can spend the money in line with their own research strategy.

The funds by university

Bristol - £26m

Bath - £10m

UWE - £1.6m

Gloucestershire - £526,000

Bath Spa College - £92,000

Barry Taylor, head of communications at the University of Bristol, said: "We have been allocated this money in recognition of our record as a leading, research-intensive university that gets results.

"This allocation will help us maintain our position and compete internationally."

He added that some of the funds would be used for the new neuroendocrinology research centre in Marlborough Street.

Lord Sainsbury said: "The research carried out in our laboratories is the foundation for new products, medicines and technologies."