Some scientists at British universities could be earning over 拢100,000 by the summer of 2001.
The opportunity comes because the UK government and the Wolfson Foundation have set up an annual 拢4 million fund to attract and keep the best scientific talent.
It is a response to a long-standing 鈥渂rain drain鈥� in which numerous top UK scientists have left the country because the rewards and opportunities in research are greater overseas.
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Science minister Lord Sainsbury said: 鈥淭he scheme is designed to promote a UK brain gain, boosting our increasingly knowledge-driven economy.鈥�
He added: 鈥淚 expect to see the scheme used to make some very high awards.鈥� Up to 拢75,000 will be available to individuals, for salary and some research costs.
The fund was first announced in July 2000 but the Royal Society, which is administering the fund, is now accepting applications from universities. About 70 awards are expected to be made in the first two years.
The government and the Wolfson Trust have committed 拢10 million each for funding over five years, but will review the scheme after two years.
The minimum salary for UK professors is about 拢40,000 and the new scheme will certainly be a boost for a few. Richard Joyner, chairman of the Save British Science campaign, says it is an important step but that all academic salaries have fallen behind and that 拢100 million is needed.
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