In the 2014 Budget Statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced that the UK government would provide £42 million, over 5 years, to fund The Alan Turing Institute. The Institute will build on the nation's strengths and help position the UK as a world leader in the analysis and application of Big Data.
The government has now asked the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to act as a key partner in establishing the Institute and realising this ambition.
As one of the first steps, EPSRC today invited UK universities to submit expressions of interest in joining the consortium to establish the Institute.
Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, Greg Clark said: "Big Data is a key component in how we conduct science today and its importance will only increase in the future. That is why government identified it as one of the UK's 8 great technologies, and why we are committed to remaining at the forefront of this technology through the establishment of The Alan Turing Institute.
"It is a fitting tribute to Alan Turing that this Institute will push the boundaries of mathematics and lead the way in research, education and knowledge transfer."
EPSRC's Chief Executive Philip Nelson said: "EPSRC's portfolio makes it highly appropriate that we are responsible for the delivery of The Alan Turing Institute. Big Data plays an increasing role in research across many scientific and engineering fields and therefore it is vital that the UK stays at the leading edge in this area."
The Institute's objective will be to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of the analytical methods that support the country's ability to exploit publicly or privately owned large datasets.
It will provide a national centre to promote advanced research and translational work in the application of data science and the associated computational algorithms.
The government's investment of £42 million to 2020 includes an initial capital investment of £20 million and support for operating costs to assist in funding the Institute.
The Institute will have a physical location and will bring together leaders in advanced mathematics and computing science. Its work is expected to encompass a wide range of scientific disciplines and be relevant to a wide range of business sectors.
Notes to editors
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Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK's main agency for funding research in engineering and the physical sciences. EPSRC invests around £800 million a year in research and postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the next generation of technological change. The areas covered range from information technology to structural engineering, and mathematics to materials science. This research forms the basis for future economic development in the UK and improvements for everyone's health, lifestyle and culture. EPSRC works alongside other Research Councils with responsibility for other areas of research. The Research Councils work collectively on issues of common concern via Research Councils UK. http://www.epsrc.ac.uk