The University of Strathclyde has launched a new PhD scholarship programme to support advanced research in science and engineering. Backed by the James Weir Foundation, this initiative honors Dr George Weir’s legacy and will fund a new doctoral studentship each year.
The first Dr George Weir PhD Scholarship will support research at Strathclyde’s Neurotechnology Centre, led by Keith Mathieson. Founded in 2025, the Centre combines expertise in engineering, physics, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience to address complex neurological problems.
The Centre primarily focuses on developing implantable technologies to study and treat degenerative conditions such as blindness and dementia. It also has advanced semiconductor fabrication facilities to create ultrathin neural implants, funded by the Wolfson Foundation.
The first PhD project funded by the scholarship will focus on next-generation neural implants, especially semiconductor interfacing technologies. This work builds on international collaborations, including research with Stanford University on retinal implants.
These efforts have already shown promising results, such as restoring partial vision, with visual acuity measured at 20/400, in patients with age-related macular degeneration. The new research aims to go further, bringing us closer to practical solutions for wider use.
The scholarship honours Dr George Weir, a scientist and engineer who studied at institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He spent much of his career working in research and development at the Weir Group, believing strongly in using technology to improve lives.
The foundation behind this initiative carries on the philanthropic legacy of James Weir, a Scottish industrialist and aviation pioneer whose work in engineering and public service continues to have a strong impact today.
Duncan Graham, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, says the partnership reflects a long history between the University and the Foundation. The programme aims to support research that tackles real-world challenges in engineering and science.
Edward Weir highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to supporting doctoral research that makes a real difference in society and expressed excitement about the programme’s long-term results.
This initiative starts a rolling, annually funded PhD programme, with each project chosen for its potential to spark innovation and address urgent global challenges.
By offering financial support along with access to top research facilities and collaborations, the programme makes Strathclyde a leading centre for next-generation scientific discoveries, especially in the fast-growing field of neurotechnology.
