particle physics<\/a>, health and the environment.<\/p>\nInternational collaboration<\/h3>\n The biggest funders of ILL are the UK, Germany and France; these associate members then operate in partnership scientific communities all over Europe.<\/p>\n
Recently, the three associate members signed a formal agreement to expand the initial 1971 inter-governmental convention for up to an additional decade.<\/p>\n
The agreement builds on more than half a century of cooperation between the associate countries in preserving the ILL\u2019s position as one of the world\u2019s leading neutron facilities.<\/p>\n
ILL and the UK scientific community<\/h3>\n The agreement was signed in Paris by Fr\u00e9d\u00e9rique Vidal, the French Minister for Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Hans-Dieter Lucas, German Ambassador to France and Theo Rycroft, the Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in France.<\/p>\n
The Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in France, Theo Rycroft, commented: \u201cThe global coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of international collaboration in helping find solutions to pressing global challenges. The UK is a world leader in many areas of neutron science and our continued access to ILL\u2019s cutting-edge scientific facilities will maintain the UK\u2019s position as a global science leader.<\/p>\n
\u201cUK scientists continue to play a key role in making exciting new discoveries, helping improve our understanding of neutrons and materials and we look forward to ILL delivering a further decade of exciting science from its outstanding infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n
UK Science Minister Amanda Solloway added: \u201cWe want the UK to be the international scientific partner of choice, as our collaboration with France and Germany to fund the world-renowned Institut Laue-Langevin shows.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy extending our support to this scientific centre of excellence for another decade, we\u2019re enabling researchers in the UK and beyond to conduct bold experiments which could help solve major global challenges such as climate change and infectious disease.\u201d<\/p>\n
The UK\u2019s funding of ILL is facilitated by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), with an annual subscription that gives UK scientists access to the facility. STFC is the shareholder in ILL on behalf of the UK.<\/p>\n
Executive Chair of STFC, Professor Mark Thomson said: \u201cBy securing future years of this world-class facility, scientists in the UK and around the globe will be able to continue undertaking pioneering multi-disciplinary research and making important discoveries.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur fruitful relationship with our key partners in France and Germany has allowed us to maintain this vital and unique offering to the research community.<\/p>\n
\u201cNeutron science continues to be a priority to the UK, with our own ISIS Neutron and Muon Source facility complementing the research programmes of the ILL. This allows the UK to maintain our position as a global leader in this research area.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The UK government, alongside the governments of France and Germany, has agreed to maintain their support of a world-leading neutron research centre for a further ten years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":14690,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[766,24429],"tags":[814,821],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
UK to further support of international neutron research centre<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n