Life Sciences Research Network Wales
We support World Class Science within Wales with the aim of developing new precision therapeutics and diagnostics in areas of unmet medical and veterinary need. The Network is led by Cardiff University and brings together research expertise in the Life Sciences from across Wales.
The first phase of the Network was completed in 2019. In February 2021, following an award from the European Regional Development Fund via the Welsh Government’s Sêr Cymru II program, a new Network Manager was appointed. The Network will be focused on capacity building until March 2023.
Between 2014 and 2019, the Network formed part of the Welsh Government’s Sêr Cymru I program and was part funded by a £7.3M award, 70% Welsh Government and 30% HEFCW. Sêr Cymru aims to build upon and enhance research in Wales, in line with the objectives of Science for Wales, the Welsh Government’s strategic agenda for science and innovation in Wales.
Our Phase 1 funding was distributed across HEI’s in Wales and we work in direct partnership with Aberystwyth, Bangor and Swansea Universities, each having academic representation on our elite Management Board. We encourage collaboration with Industry, Charities, the NHS and other International Universities.
As of June 2018, the Network’s Phase 1 funded 139 research projects and committed over £5.9m directly to research. Network funded Principal Investigators have leveraged in excess of £33.7m from successful research funding applications as a direct result of NRN projects.
If you are interested in joining the Network, please email nrn@cardiff.ac.uk, or follow us here or on Twitter for news and upcoming events.

Funded Projects
56 PhD Studentships across Wales which are all 50/50 co-funded by HEI’s, industry, charity or other partners.
47 Post Doctoral Research Projects across Wales, aimed at developing exemplification data for subsequent applications to major funding bodies or industry partners.
13 Platforms, including 3 extended platforms available across Wales, allowing academics to gain access to cutting edge technologies and expertise from other institutions.
15 Research Impact Awards across Wales, which maximise the commercial, societal or scientific impact of previously funded Research Projects or PhD studentships.
12 Translational Support Awards which directly enhance the translational potential of existing drug discovery research projects.