Osborne announces major new research and innovation institute

03 Dec 2014

University home to £235m advanced materials institute following largest single funding agreement in its history

The University will be home to a new national research and innovation centre in advanced materials, Chancellor George Osborne has announced today in his Autumn Statement.

The Sir Henry Royce Institute for Materials Research and Innovation will allow the UK to grow its world-leading research base in advanced-materials science, which is fundamental to all industrial sectors and the national economy.

The new Institute, supported by industrial partners, will have its £235m research centre in Manchester.  The Manchester centre will be supported by satellite centres or ‘spokes’ at the founding partners, comprising the universities of Sheffield, Leeds,  Liverpool, Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial College London.

The nuclear materials component of the centre, one of 14 such components, will be supported by facilities at the National Nuclear Laboratory in Cumbria and the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy. The founding partners’ facilities will be enhanced to a value of £132m. 

Welcoming the announcement, President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell said: “This considerable investment in UK science – the largest single funding agreement in our University’s history – is testament to the outstanding research in advanced materials carried out in Manchester and at the new Institute’s partner organisations.”

Professor Colin Bailey, Vice-President and Dean of the University of Manchester’s Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, said: “The UK has a world-leading research base in advanced materials, which is essential to the long-term wellbeing and growth of all industrial sectors.

“The new Institute, supported by our industrial and academic partners, will provide the opportunity for the UK to stay ahead in this vital area of research and innovation to ensure growth in the national economy, as well as addressing the many global challenges facing society.”

In his Autumn Statement, Chancellor George Osborne said: “A few months ago there were no proposals for major scientific institutions in the North of England. Today we commit a massive quarter of a billion pound investment in a new Sir Henry Royce Institute for advanced materials science in Manchester, with branches in Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield.”

Manchester City Council Leader Sir Richard Leese said: “This is a momentous announcement for Manchester and the UK, which underlines the University of Manchester's world-class credentials and adds significant momentum to the city's major role at the leading edge of global advanced material research. It's something for which we have long campaigned. The potential for the applications of such materials is vast and they will play a major part in realising the economic potential of Manchester, Greater Manchester and the North as a whole.”