Biomedical research at the University of Dundee has received £3.75 million from the Wellcome charitable foundation’s Institutional Strategic Support Fund (ISSF).

The funding is for the next five years and is matched by an equal contribution from the university.

Dundee is the top ranked university in the UK for biological sciences research, according the most recent Research Excellence Framework.

The ISSF enables universities in the UK and Ireland to invest in areas that are of mutual strategic importance to Wellcome and the individual institutions.

The university said the ISSF grant will support biomedical research at Dundee, in particular helping to fund:

• Recruitment and career development of researchers
• Equality and diversity initiatives
• Enhancement of research infrastructure for interdisciplinary research
• Interdisciplinary and translational research
• Public engagement

Professor Doreen Cantrell, lead applicant from the School of Life Sciences at the university and a Wellcome Principal Research Fellow, said: “This award is a testament to the hard work and vision of our researchers for continuing to maintain and improve on the name Dundee has established as an internationally recognised research institution.

“This funding helps us attract the best young researchers to Dundee and to develop their careers, people like Dr Helge Dorfmueller and Dr Sarah Coulthurst, who have gone on to obtain further independently-funded fellowships.

“It also allows us to provide flexible funding to support the professional development of our staff that have primary carer responsibilities.”

Professor Julian Blow, Dean of the School of Life Sciences, said: “We really value our partnership with the Wellcome.

“ISSF provides us with flexible funding so we can build on the foundations of earlier awards and continue to strengthen our output in the five key strategic areas.”