Science and technology leaders secure £113 million government backing

The government has announced the science and technology research leaders who will benefit from £113 million funding to help bring their innovations to market.

97 researchers have been awarded funding for their projects, both within universities and the private sector, via 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. Funding will help research leaders pay for equipment and salaries to enable their work to progress further.

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.