BNFL hands Manchester £5 million nuclear boost

The University of Manchester has received £5 million from British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL) to further develop its world-class nuclear education and research.
The University and its internationally renowned Dalton Nuclear Institute will use the money to expand and develop its nuclear research programme and provide top-class education and training to the next generation of nuclear industry professionals.
Under the terms of the endowment, a series of professorial Chair appointments will be made lasting up to five years in a variety of research areas.
The money will also be used to cover associated costs such as support staff, fellowships, studentships, equipment, conferences and travel.
At the end of the funding period for each Chair, it is expected the position will be financially sustainable via self-generated research income.
The endowment fund from BNFL will be known as the BNFL Endowment for Nuclear Research. The first professorial appointment is expected to be a BNFL Chair in Radiation Effects on Materials.
Michael Parker, Group Chief Executive of BNFL, said: "For over 35 years BNFL has been at the heart of nuclear education and research, particularly in the North West. I am therefore delighted that we can provide this endowment to The University of Manchester's internationally renowned Dalton Nuclear Institute to support the nuclear scientists of the future.
Professor Alan Gilbert, President and Vice Chancellor, The University of Manchester, said: "This most generous endowment from BNFL will enhance the University's position in the nuclear field in the UK and bring significant wider benefits to the North West region as a whole.
"It consolidates our world leading position in nuclear research, which spans over 100 years from the work of Rutherford to the present day, and puts Manchester in an ideal position to support the global nuclear renaissance."
The cash boost is the just the latest success story for The University, which recently unveiled plans to establish a Centre for Nuclear Energy Technology (C-NET) in the Northwest with support from the Northwest Science Council and key industry partners.
The University is also establishing a major new multi-million pound nuclear research facility in Cumbria in conjunction with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).
The centre will provide specialist research equipment and facilities and to drive forward research into radiation sciences and engineering decommissioning.