ALMOST £5 million of Scottish Government funding is to be split between 55 different coronavirus research projects across the country.
The money will support a range of initiatives at 15 Scottish universities and research institutions to help better understand the effects of infection as well as the development and testing of new diagnostics and treatments.
It will also help support the mental health of frontline health and social care workers and understand the physical and mental health implications of lockdown measures.
The University of Glasgow has received the most funding – £1,025,458 split between nine projects – while there are 10 projects at the University of Stirling, splitting £480,707 of funding.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Scotland is home to some of the most respected researchers and scientists in the world.
“Covid-19 is the biggest challenge we have faced in our lifetimes and it is vital that we capture the potential of the extraordinarily strong research base here to contribute to the global efforts to tackle and mitigate the impact of it. This funding enables universities and research institutions to immediately draw on the very best science and methodologies available.”
Professor David Crossman, chief scientist for health, also said: “Scotland is in a strong position to undertake clinical research and the response from universities and research institutions to this Covid-19 research call emphatically reinforces that view.”
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