The United Kingdom and Peru have launched the US$26 million Newton-Paulet fund to finance the development of science and technology in innovation (STI) in the Inca country over the next four years.
This is the most important contribution from the United Kingdom to Peru —in terms of STI— with an allocation of US$13 million, whereas Peru's State-run National Council of Science, Technology and Technological Innovation (Concytec) will finance the remaining 50%.
This government-sponsored alliance will allow Peruvian and British scientists, as well as researchers, to work together with funding committed thru 2021 and aimed at responding to development challenges.
Through the Newton-Paulet Fund (named after renowned Peruvian scientist Pedro Paulet), joint research will be carried out —in three priority areas for Peruvian development— while taking into account the current global challenges:
1) Health, namely malnutrition and anemia.
2) Clean water, including the impact of retreating glaciers.
3) Biodiversity and the unique geography of Peru.
It will also support the promotion of innovation, as well as the development of skills in the mentioned subjects.
British Ambassador to Peru Anwar Choudhury stressed that UK's experience in science and innovation is among the top in the world.