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Six research projects are to benefit from a ?40 million investment under the government's Support Programme for University Research in Northern Ireland.

Earlier this year, Sean Farren, minister for higher and further education, pledged ?20 million over the next four years based on match funding. An independent panel of international experts has chosen six out of 15 proposals - four at Queen's University, Belfast, and two at Ulster University.

Queen's will get ?9 million for an international research centre for experimental physics; ?5 million for an institute of governance, public policy and social research; and ?4.5 million each for a virtual engineering centre and sonic arts research centre. Ulster will receive ?14 million for a centre for molecular biosciences, and ?3 million for an academy for Irish cultural heritage.

George Bain, vice-chancellor of Queen's, said: "This initiative will put Northern Ireland in the premier league in areas of research that are crucial for economic regeneration."