91直播

鈼�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; 拢4.8m funding awarded from Research England to supercharge the next stage of pioneering city-to-city partnership

鈼�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Led by The University of Cambridge and The University of Manchester, and supported by the two Mayoral Combined Authorities, City Councils, alongside businesses and investors

A groundbreaking partnership between The University of Manchester and The University of Cambridge has been awarded 拢4.8 million by Research England to accelerate inclusive growth and innovation collaboration. As the UK鈥檚 first cross-UK innovation partnership, it will pioneer a new model of place-to-place collaboration and help drive economic growth for the UK- setting an example for other cities to follow. With further investment from the two universities, the total funding for the partnership will be 拢6m.

The partnership will be led by Unit M and Innovate Cambridge - the universities鈥� respective innovation capabilities - with support from the two Mayoral Combined Authorities, City Councils, businesses and investors. It is a prime example of how a university-led, cross-UK innovation collaboration can enhance the UK's global competitiveness and foster innovation-driven growth.

This initiative responds directly to the UK government鈥檚 imperative for universities to support the delivery of the national Industrial Strategy and make a stronger contribution to economic growth.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice Chancellor of The University of Manchester, commented: "Our partnership with Cambridge marks a new model of collaboration between UK universities. It brings together the distinctive strengths of each of our universities and cities, connecting two of the great innovation ecosystems to scale up what we can achieve. This new approach to innovation accelerates the time between discovery and impact, getting ideas into the real economy and our communities even more quickly to drive inclusive growth.鈥�

Professor Lou Cordwell, Chief Executive of Unit M, said: 鈥淯niversities are increasingly taking a lead in convening and catalysing their innovation ecosystems. By bringing together investors, businesses, entrepreneurs, academics, and public sector agencies, this partnership will create new opportunities and stimulate investment into the innovation economy. We are proud at Unit M to be part of such a pioneering partnership, and look forward to continuing to work with Cambridge.鈥�

Professor Deborah Prentice, University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor, commented: 鈥淭his pioneering initiative brings together the combined strengths of Cambridge and 91直播 to create something that is truly ground-breaking. By connecting our cities, we鈥檙e helping to build a more collaborative and dynamic environment in which innovative research can connect with industry, venture capital and entrepreneurs to drive economic growth and deliver real benefits for people and places across the UK.鈥�

Science Minister and Oxford-Cambridge Growth Champion, Lord Vallance, said: 鈥淭his pioneering partnership is proof that our ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor can and will fire up economic growth across the length and breadth of the UK, which is critical to our Plan for Change.

鈥淐ambridgeshire and Greater 91直播 are forging a path I hope others will follow. Science is always stronger when we work together, and stronger research ties between the UK鈥檚 great regions will only lead to more investment, more opportunities, and more breakthroughs, from health to clean energy and beyond.鈥�

Jessica Corner, Executive Chair of Research England, commented: 鈥淭his investment underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration across England. By connecting the vibrant ecosystems of Cambridge and 91直播, we aim to drive significant economic growth and create a model for place-based innovation that can be replicated nationwide."

At the core of the partnership is the exchange of complementary innovation assets to ensure real-world impact. Both cities already have strong R&D capabilities and strengths in leading-edge sectors such as AI, life sciences, and advanced materials. Cambridge has deep investor networks but experiences growth constraints due to its small scale, higher costs, and lack of development land. 91直播 provides that scale, affordability for start-ups and scale-ups, and a large talent pool - but has a less mature support ecosystem.

The Research England funding will be used in three key areas: ecosystem activation and integration; growing investment; and testing and learning.

鈼�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Ecosystem activation and integration: It will strengthen relations within and between the innovation ecosystems of the two cities, to create a vibrant and ambitious cross-city innovation network. This aims to create progressive new approach inclusive growth.

鈼�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Growing investment: It will harness the combined strengths of both universities and partner cities to support start-ups and scale-ups to secure funding and grow, attract innovation-intensive FDI to the UK, and stimulate investment into R&D.

鈼�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Testing and learning: It will pilot new approaches and share best practice for delivering ecosystem collaboration and inclusive growth. This will allow other cities, the wider higher education sector community, and local and national governments in the UK and internationally to learn from the partnership.