EB / News / Curriculum / Funding for mathematical science academy offered
Funding for mathematical science academy offered
EB News: 07/05/2024 - 12:20
Organisations have been invited to apply for the chance to set up a new National Academy for Mathematical Sciences to champion the value of maths and create future jobs.
An open competition offering grant funding of up to £6 million over the next three years has been launched today (7 May) and will run until 4 June 2024.
The academy will mark mathematical sciences as a major priority in skills development and seek to emulate the success of the existing national academies, in other scientific fields, such as the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering.
Science, innovation and research minister, Andrew Griffith, said: “Maths is at the root of so much in our lives, from groundbreaking discoveries that keep us healthy to the engineering we rely on to do our jobs and get us from A to B.
“As technology becomes even more central to our modern world, it is a skill that will only become more crucial in jobs of the future, from artificial intelligence to data science and beyond.
“The new National Academy focused on Mathematical Sciences will help raise the profile of Maths in the UK and help the sector in making the impassioned case for such an important subject.”
The National Academy said it will give young people the skills they need to get on in life, from working with AI to nuclear power.
Over the next three years, the National Academy will be expected to provide credible, expert and timely advice on maths to government, policy makers and industry, helping to shape the agenda on the subject.
It will also increase public support and engagement in mathematical sciences, and publish a strategy setting out a clear vision for the mathematical sciences sector in the UK.
In the longer term, it is expected to work to improve and develop mathematical skills with particular focus on supporting the UK’s competitiveness in advanced maths skills that support industries, leverage private and third sector funding and collaborate internationally to address global challenges.
The charity says residential fieldwork opportunities are vital to delivering the green skills for nature that the country will need to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.
The Department for Education will begin a formal process to find a successor shortly, with Chair Dame Christine Ryan continuing her role during this process to ensure a smooth and orderly transition.
Wales has come to the end of its second year of free Welsh lessons for 16- to 25-year olds, with school staff helping even more people learn the language.