£21 million for grand engineering challenges

Seven new research programmes have received £21 million funding to tackle UK’s major science and engineering challenges.

The research consortia – funded by EPSRC – will focus on clean water, robotics and autonomous systems, new meta- and advanced materials for electronic systems and the complexity and interconnectedness of systems.

“Economic and political forces will shape the world of the future but these are often led and influenced by advances in science and engineering. The projects announced today will help us plan and maintain our cities, reduce our energy consumption and develop new materials, innovative devices and technology. The UK has world-leading academic talent to enlist in the challenges we face as a country and as a species. Investing in research is investing in the UK’s future,” said EPSRC’s Chief Executive Professor Philip Nelson.

The projects – developed in response to four Engineering Grand Challenges – will involve 19 UK universities and 80 partners and will begin work in December. They will receive an additional £11 million bringing the total investment to £32 million.

Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said: “As a One Nation Government we are investing in world-class science and engineering across our country. We want the UK to be the best place in Europe to innovate and this £21 million investment will bring together the nation’s researchers to address some of the most pressing engineering challenges we face.

“From ground-breaking work with robotics to advanced air-flow simulators, this investment will help tackle our aging water infrastructure and air pollution in cities to improve the lives of millions of people around the world.”