University to Provide more than £11.4 million in Regional Business Support

Three new programmes launched by Lancaster University are offering North West businesses and the regional economy more than £11.4 million of support by helping to drive innovation and creation of new products and services.

Working with more than 870 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) support will focus on the key industrial and technology areas of next generation chemistry, smart materials and cyber security.

Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the programmes will deliver 180 new research collaborations between businesses and Lancaster University researchers. These partnerships include new opportunities for nine new PhD researchers – providing the scientists and innovators of the future.

 The new programmes are:

Greater Innovation for Smarter Material Optimisation (GISMO)

This £4.4 million programme will engage with 250 SMEs in the Cheshire and Warrington areas. Successful businesses will gain access to research and development expertise and specialist technology to solve industry-driven challenges through innovations in ‘smart’ materials.

 Next Gen Chem

Co-designed between Lancaster University and Yordas Group, the £4.9 million Next Gen Chem programme will work with 300 SMEs to enable chemical using industries across Lancashire to innovate using ‘next generation’ chemistry. The funding from this programme will also expand the capacity of Lancaster University to engage with businesses on research and development through its cTAP facility by supporting the acquisition of new analytical equipment such as a catalyst assessment rig, a robotics automation platform, a kilo lab and equipment suites.

Lancashire Cyber Foundry

Building on the success of the ‘Greater Manchester Cyber Foundry’ (also part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund) the £2.1 million Lancashire Cyber Foundry offers the opportunity for SMEs to both increase their awareness of cyber security technologies and explore the development of new digital products and services using technology to innovate, providing the foundation for business stimulation and growth. The programme will engage with 320 SMEs and be delivered through a blend of face-to-face workshops, online modules, and software development, putting cyber security at the forefront.

The programmes are recruiting businesses now. For more information, and to register for the programmes, please visit www.lancaster.ac.uk