THE North-East's universities are to get £36.5m towards scientific research projects.

The money is part of £1bn being allocated to 150 universities across the country from the Government's Science Research Investment Fund, for 2004 to 2006.

Newcastle University is getting £21.4m, Durham £12.6m, Northumbria £1m, Sunderland £1m and Teesside £365,178.

The universities have to find match funding of ten per cent, down from the 25 per cent required in the first round of grants from the fund.

The money will go towards equipment and facilities that will enable research in areas such as developing new drugs to treat diseases, notably cancer, nanotechnology and developing understanding of man's impact on the environment.

The universities can spend the money in line with their own research strategy and must submit proposed projects to the Higher Education Funding Council by May 30.

Science Minister Lord Sainsbury said: "Today's injection of more than £1bn is the largest-ever Government investment in our science research infrastructure and will ensure that UK science remains at the cutting edge."