The money will help to attract researchers to Scotland

The UK Government's Science Research Investment Fund is putting up most of the money, which covers two years starting in 2006.

The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council is investing �30m.

The aim is to lure top scientists to Scotland and to win new research deals in improved facilities, according to Enterprise Minister Jim Wallace.

"This money is excellent news for our universities and the country as a whole," he said.

"There is already a great deal of excellent work done in the higher education sector.

"This kind of investment will develop the quality of the research base further and ensure Scottish universities retain their worldwide reputation and are able to continue to compete globally."

This money will help to attract some of the best minds to Scotland Universities Scotland spokesman

The Scottish money was made possible by a 23% rise in funding unveiled in the latest Holyrood budget, the minister added.

It was welcomed by the universities.

A spokesman for the umbrella group Universities Scotland said: "Cutting edge research is now widely recognised as being an essential part of economic growth in Scotland, but cutting edge research needs cutting edge facilities.

"This money will help Scottish universities to build and equip modern laboratories which will not only help Scottish scientists to do the best possible work, but will also help to attract some of the best minds to Scotland."