Scientific research grant boost for Liverpool

THE University of Liverpool has been awarded £1m to boost science and engineering research into industry and improve better collaborations.

The `Impact Accelerator Accounts’ funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) will address the gap between academic knowledge and its successful exploitation by industry.  
The money will be used to advance early-stage research outputs into viable commercially-ready propositions which industry can then take forward.

Professor Stephen Holloway, executive Pro-Vice Chancellor for Science and Engineering, said: “This is great news for the University’s scientists and engineers which will bring about a step change in our exploitation of EPSRC-funded research.

“It will help our researchers engage with industry at an earlier stage so that research breakthroughs can be capitalized on by both small and large businesses.  The funding will give researchers a better understanding of what the end-users in industry are looking for in terms of new applications and products.”

The funding was announced by Business Secretary Vince Cable, who said: “This investment will help our leading universities become centres of innovation and entrepreneurship, generating commercial success to fuel growth.”

Liverpool University already benefits from £40m research funding from the EPSRC in the areas of molecular engineering and advanced manufacturing.