The University of Glasgow has been awarded funding to establish a new doctoral-level training centre aimed at developing the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers in the UK. The initiative, named the Skills Centre for Advancing Nuclear Systems (SCANS), is one of seven projects selected for the Doctoral Focal Awards, which were announced on March 13, 2026, by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Ministry of Defence.

The SCANS initiative is part of a £65.6 million funding package, which is matched by industry contributions and administered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The funding will support the creation of up to six new doctoral training programmes and enhance the existing SATURN Centre for Doctoral Training. This initiative responds to recommendations from the Nuclear Skills Plan, which aims to quadruple the number of doctoral students in nuclear fission to address the sector’s skills shortage and rejuvenate an aging workforce.

The primary goal of SCANS is to equip doctoral students with a comprehensive set of advanced technical skills necessary for the UK’s civil and defence nuclear programmes, thereby contributing to the nation’s economic growth, energy security, and net zero targets. The centre will collaborate with researchers from the University of Glasgow, the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, and 25 industry and national partners.

SCANS will operate through two interconnected hubs located in Glasgow and Edinburgh, leveraging expertise in various scientific disciplines, including chemistry, physics, engineering, and data science. The training model will focus on cohort-based recruitment, fostering a collaborative environment for students and providing hands-on experience across the nuclear technology lifecycle, from advanced fuel development to waste management and environmental stewardship.