University of Bristol: £4m to transform Bristol’s bright ideas into global opportunities and impact
The UKRI has awarded a total of £118 million to research organisations across the UK through its Impact Accelerator Account (IAA) to support critical, early-stage translation and impact of UK research.
Bristol will receive £4.27 million over three years for new projects, bringing researchers together with organisations including businesses, public sector bodies, policymakers and NGOs. An important feature of the scheme is that it empowers research organisations to use the funding creatively and responsively to react to emerging opportunities.
The funding will support pilot and proof-of-concept projects and allow the University to provide a pipeline of new technologies, disruptive ideas and creative content that are ripe for development and scale-up. By providing the catalyst that allows projects to grow to the next level, the funding promises to maximise the benefits the University’s world-leading research brings to society and the economy.
Previous Bristol-led IAA success stories include the leading haptics and hand-tracking firm Ultraleap, renal gene therapy company, Purespring Therapeutics, and IRISi, an award-winning social enterprise which is improving the healthcare response to gender-based violence.
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at the University of Bristol, Professor Phil Taylor, said: “This funding will make a profound contribution to the University’s mission is to make a positive impact locally, nationally, and globally by addressing society’s greatest challenges through our innovative research and the value we place on excellence, inclusivity and partnership.”
UKRI Chief Executive Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser said: “Research and innovation has the potential to improve people’s lives and livelihoods, rejuvenating communities across the UK and tackling global challenges. It is imperative that we harness that potential.
“The path between discovery and impact is not simple and so it is vital that we provide flexible support that allows talented people and teams, and world-class institutions to connect discovery to prosperity and public good.
“Our impact acceleration funding has a fantastic track-record in providing support that helps brilliant ideas become realities that make a real difference.”