Launch of new national EPSRC funded network to boost innovation
The Catapult Network is pleased to announce its part in a new £6.75 million national network to accelerate UK innovation.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded Innovation Launchpad Network+ will bring together leading universities, the Catapult Network and regional innovation ecosystems to enrich the exchange of ideas and knowledge across these organisations.
The network is a national collaboration led by the University of Sheffield with the Universities of Leeds, Strathclyde, Warwick, Bristol and Exeter, and the Catapult Network. There are currently nine Catapults, each established by and working in partnership with Innovate UK. They support businesses across healthcare, energy, emerging technologies and manufacturing in transforming great ideas into valuable products and services.
To foster new links between individuals or groups and the Catapult Network, the programme will deliver 100 world-class Researchers in Residence programmes and will focus on the themes of net zero, healthcare and wellbeing, and resilience.
The programme builds on the successful Catapult Fellows and Researcher in Residence programmes and aims to create a truly inclusive and integrated science-innovation community.
Matthew Durdy, Chair of the Catapult Network and CEO of Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult said:
We welcome this important initiative which strikes right at the heart of our aim to build a collaborative research, development and innovation landscape. Catapults and academia working together will provide first-class knowledge exchange and a launchpad to bring researchers closer to innovation in industry, giving them valuable exposure to the translation and commercialisation of research.
The programme will support two complementary pathways for research residencies, both of which aim to place the right researcher in the right Catapult at the right time. The first pathway will support residencies that contribute directly to delivery of the Catapults’ strategic roadmaps, which are near-term industry needs.
The second aims to leverage the capability of the Catapults to accelerate the translation of science in partnership with higher education institutions (HEIs) and regional innovation ecosystems, which can include other non-Catapult research and technology organisations (RTOs) and incubators.
Applications for the Researcher in Residence scheme will open in October. Additional funding for travel and feasibility studies will also be available to support the co-creation of research residencies. The Innovation Launchpad Network+ includes previously successful academics, who will offer their support and mentoring to new applicants.
Pete Osborne, Director of the Innovation Launchpad Network, said:
The UK has a strong history of fundamental research and innovation. Historically we have been much poorer at anchoring that innovation and turning it into societal benefit in the UK . This Network aims to provide opportunities for researchers from a much wider range of backgrounds and universities to work with the Catapults to turn this knowledge into real impact. I look forward to working with all of the stakeholders to make it happen and driving innovation and knowledge through our collaboration.
An online event is being held from 12pm-2pm on Thursday 6 October 2022, where researchers can find out more about the Innovation Launchpad Network+ and the opportunities provided by the Researcher in Residence scheme. To register for a ticket, please click here.
Notes to editors:
About the Catapult Network
The Catapult Network is composed of nine world-leading technology and innovation centres established by and working in partnership with Innovate UK. We support businesses in transforming great ideas into valuable products and services. We deliver impact across the UK economy, enabling businesses to thrive in global markets.
About the Researchers in Residence Scheme
The Research in Residence (RIR) scheme promotes academic engagement and is designed to enable researchers to work within the Catapult environment as part of one or more centres, undertaking a project or activity in an area of strategic importance for Catapults. As well as increasing knowledge exchange and co-creation between academia and the Catapults, these awards allow the researcher to gain deep industry knowledge across a range of sectors and nurture the talents and skills development across both research and Catapult.
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is one of nine UK Research and Innovation Councils, creating knowledge in engineering and physical sciences for UK capability to benefit society and the economy.
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Contact India Campbell, Communications Manager
enquiries@catapultnetwork.org.uk