 Chemical reaction: scientists are celebrating the handout |
Chemistry and physics scientists in Scotland are to receive �37m in additional funding over the next four years as they pool their resources. Six universities are joining forces to create "super teams" to focus on subjects such as space physics and biological chemistry.
The financial investment has come from the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC).
The move came after the chancellor pledged a greater focus on science.
The windfall will go towards as many as 180 chemistry researchers in one team and 200 physicists in the other.
In Physics, experts from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Heriot Watt, Paisley, St Andrews and Strathclyde universities will work together in the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (Supa).
ScotCHEM will bring together two groups - WestCHEM, which consists of Glasgow and Strathclyde universities and EastCHEM, comprising the universities of St Andrews and Edinburgh.
A spokeswoman said: "The new substantial backing will pool resources across Scotland and initiate two new world-class research alliances.
"The collaborations will strengthen Scotland's place on the world's stage."
Principal of the University of Glasgow, Sir Muir Russell, said: "This strong support for research collaborations is very encouraging.
"It emphasises Scotland's excellence in two key subject areas which are currently being abandoned by universities south of the border."
'Build rapidly'
He added: "I am delighted the University of Glasgow is involved in both these powerful new alliances which will transform the research landscape of Scotland."
The university's head of physics and astronomy, Professor John Chapman, said: "It will allow us to build rapidly and effectively on the indisputable strengths that already exist in Scotland's physics and astronomy departments.
"Co-ordinated programmes will really make us a force within the UK and beyond."
He added: "A single Scottish graduate school in physics will mean we offer postgraduate training second to none."
The lift for Scottish science came after Chancellor Gordon Brown announced a long-term plan of investment in science education in his pre-budget report.
Mr Brown said that in order to succeed in the global economy, Britain needed to build on its "scientific genius".
And the president of Universities UK said the country might be "better off" with fewer, but better-funded, chemistry departments.
Professor Ivor Crewe warned many expensive-to-run university chemistry courses were "vulnerable".
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Co-ordinated programmes will really make us a force within the UK and beyond 
