Up to £20 million of Government funding will support technology developments and drive economic growth in the central area of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, with Cranfield a key partner in delivering programmes backed by the investment. The funding, from the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, will supercharge the area’s expertise in autonomous vehicles, high-performance engineering and space technology.
The Innovation Circuit partnership covers Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Northamptonshire and aims to unlock up to £4.5 billion in annual GVA (Gross Value Added) by 2035.The vision is to bring new technologies to fruition in three key areas: motorsport and high-performance engineering, connected and autonomous systems, and space, defence and resilient systems.
Cranfield University will work closely with partners to develop and advance the research and testing of resilient Position, Navigation, Timing and Communications services, scaling the next-generation of space systems, avionics and resilient communications.
Professor Leon A. Terry, Pro-Vice-Chancellor - Education and Research at Cranfield University said:“There’s huge potential for growth and innovation across the central spine of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor. I’m delighted to see that our bid to the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund is progressing – it will support our collaborative work across high performance engineering, connected and autonomous systems and dual-use technologies which promise to grow the local economy and spark investment.”
Professor Sir Ian Chapman, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), said: “The Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor has long been home to world class ingenuity and a proud tradition of delivering real impact from great ideas. UKRI is delighted to work with the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor Local Innovation Partnership as they accelerate bold plans to build on that legacy and drive the region’s next wave of innovation led growth. By bringing together the region’s researchers, entrepreneurs and civic leaders, we are strengthening the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor’s distinctive capabilities and championing its ambition on the national stage.”
The £500 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF), delivered by UK Research and Innovation, supports partnerships between local government, businesses and research organisations to turn existing local research breakthroughs into practical solutions that improve people’s lives.
Announcing the funding, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:“In the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor, the funding will strengthen world leading engineering and space technology, helping turn scientific excellence into jobs and economic growth. By working with local leaders, researchers, and businesses, we can unleash transformational research and products that improve lives.”
The Innovation Circuit initiative is led by The Open University, with Cranfield University, Silverstone, Westcott and the University of Northampton, together with industry and local councils across Northampton, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire as partners. All of the organisations involved across the region will now work with UKRI to shape the projects that will receive support, focusing on collaborative R&D, talent development, integrated testbeds and clear routes to investment and new markets.
