Support of mathematical sciences is relatively inexpensive. Library is a basic mathematical tool - essential to attracting staff and students, and it must be maintained as a priority for the discipline. Mechanical Engineering supports new technology development. Engineers in this area are theoreticians, experimentalists and designers. There is an increasing reliance on industrial funding in the discipline.
Disciplines are increasingly porous with more multi-disciplinary research.
Health areas also have disease-specific funding agencies. Access to good technical support was largely lost in the cuts of the mid 1990s. Central infrastructure is needed in a lab while professors also undertake teaching, industry collaboration and other activities. Support for this is essential - need continuity in research labs, and hiring appropriate staff in this area is as important as hiring faculty. Need to keep pressure on government to provide increased core funding to the universities.