Nine research projects at the cutting-edge of science and technology have been successful in securing grants from the University’s Zepler Institute Research Collaboration Stimulus Fund.
The winners each received a share of the £100,000 Fund launched in October 2013, to support research of industrial relevance carried out in the Zepler Institute Cleanroom Complex. Supported by the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) allocated to the University by HEFCE, the grants provide seed funding for researchers to carry out fundamental proof of concept work in preparation for large scale research grant applications in collaboration with industry.
The nine successful projects saw partnerships formed between Zepler Institute researchers based in the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering and academics from across the University and organisations worldwide to pursue research with applications in fields as diverse as telecommunications, life sciences, energy security, and metrology. Despite being the Fund’s first year of operation, a total of 22 applications were received, seeking support in excess of £300, 000.
The quality of proposals and level of competition exceeded expectations and the award panel, comprising academic members of the Zepler Institute’s Executive Board, was faced with difficult decisions in allocating the funding available.
Chair of the panel and Institute Director Professor Sir David Payne commented: “I am delighted by the response to this new stimulus fund call – 22 very high quality bids from across the University in areas as diverse as medicine, transport and communications. All were exciting and judged fundable, but after some tough choices, we chose nine of the best. It is clear that inventive thinking is alive and flourishing at Southampton.”