ISTOCK, LEPETTETThe U.K. has committed $88 million to a new collaboration dubbed the UK-US Science and Technology Agreement, the UK government announced on Wednesday (September 20). Signed by UK science minister Jo Johnson and US State Department official Judith Garber, the agreement outlines the countries’ commitments to cooperation on scientific research, and is part of a larger effort by the UK government to strengthen transatlantic ties amidst fears that British science will take a hit after Brexit.
The deal “involves us in one of the most exciting new physics experiments in the world,” Johnson tells ScienceInsider. “We’re delighted to be a part of it.”
The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) aims to use particle accelerators to advance scientists’ understanding of the structure and origin of the universe. The U.K. is already involved in the project, and has 150 of its scientists working as part of a 1,000-researcher strong program based in the U.S. But the current investment will make the U.K. the largest financial contributor after the States, Times Higher Education reports.
“This agreement sends a welcome message that UK science remains outward looking,” Venki Ramakrishnan, president of the Royal Society, tells the BBC. “International research collaboration allows the rapid exchange of ...
