Science and technology innovations secure £113 million government funding

The government has announced of £113 million investment in the UK’s science and technology sector to help bring innovations to market.

97 projects nationwide have received the backing, with developments coming from both universities and the private sector. Funding has been delivered through the UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) flagship Future Leaders Fellowships scheme. Projects being supported include the development of four-legged all-terrain robots for use in construction and natural disasters, research in to seizures, new therapies for autoimmune diseases and organic alternatives to replace rare metals in electronics.

Science Minister Amanda Solloway said:

We are putting science and innovation at the heart of our efforts to build back better from the pandemic, empowering our scientific leaders of tomorrow to drive forward game-changing research that could improve all our lives and boost the UK economy.

“Supported by £113 million, the Future Leaders Fellowships will equip our most inventive scientists and researchers across the country with the tools to develop and bring their innovations to market quickly – all while helping to secure the UK’s status as a global science superpower.”

UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said:

I am delighted that UKRI is able to support the next generation of research and innovation leaders through our Future Leaders Fellowship programme.

“The new Fellows announced today will have the support and freedom they need to pursue their research and innovation ideas, delivering new knowledge and understanding and tackling some of the greatest challenges of our time”

The UKRI’s funding forms part of the government’s commitment to increase public spending in R&D to reach 2.4% of GDP by 2027.