A SHINFIELD science facility has received an £20 million of government support to help further its work.
The funding will help the Natural History Museum create state-of-the-art collections, as well as a digitisation and research centre at its Thames Valley Science Park centre.
This contribution comes in addition to the £182 million assigned as part of the Spring Budget 2020, in line with the government’s commitment to increase investment into UK science, research and development.
Prof Robert Van de Noort, vice-chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “This announcement brings the university and the Natural History Museum a step closer to delivering this important collections and research centre.
“It will open up innovative research opportunities for academics here in Reading and around the world.
“It is great news for the University community and the people of Reading and Wokingham, and we look forward to sharing more detailed plans with the local community soon.”
Last May, the Natural History Museum announced its move to the Shinfield facility, its largest collections move for more than 140 years.
The NHM Unlocked programme will see 28 million specimens move to the new facility in the University of Reading-owned Thames Valley Science Park.
These specimens cover every ocean and land mass of the planet, ranging from a microscopic water bear that can survive in outer space, to whale remains.
The new facility will secure the future of the collection and transform the study of natural history through novel analytical technologies and digitisation.
Researchers from around the world will be able to access these collections for scientific innovation, thereby strengthening the UK’s position in finding solutions to the planetary emergency.
Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, said: “I thank the Government for providing this substantial investment which allows the Natural History Museum to safely store its irreplaceable collections for generations to come.
“The Museum is looking forward to being a part of the vibrant local community in Wokingham.
“We are extremely excited to partner with the University of Reading with all the research potential – from maintaining food security and improving biodiversity to addressing climate change – that this partnership will foster.”
The link between the Natural History Museum and the University of Reading will provide key research opportunities, including funding for PhD students.
Collaboration between the two institutions could help produce solutions on pivotal global topics ranging from biodiversity loss, to the impact of a changing climate and use of Earth’s resources to deliver a green economy.
At TVSP, the Museum joins other science and creative innovators, including the British Museum and Shinfield Studios.
