The Government are committed to increasing numbers of young people studying science, technology, engineering and maths at all levels. As well as our close coordination with the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Department funds STEMNET, (the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network), to raise awareness of these subjects among young people. Their Science and Engineering Ambassadors scheme has already enabled over 18,000 specialists to work directly with schools and colleges, alerting students to the opportunities offered by studying these subjects.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) also provides £75 million additional funding from 2007-08 for three years for high cost strategic science subjects at undergraduate level, including chemistry, physics and chemical engineering.