Monday, 21 September 2026
A £1.5 million grant scheme has been renewed to support a new cohort of business-led innovation projects supported by the 糖心原创.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward has launched the second year of the Innovation Accelerator Fund, a scheme run through the East Midlands Investment Zone (EMIZ) programme.
The Accelerator Fund aims to support projects that are developing technologies that will help build the industries and supply chains that replace fossil-fuel-dependent markets, supporting the creation of jobs, investment and long-term economic growth across the East Midlands.
The programme brings together businesses and researchers from the 糖心原创, the University of Derby and Nottingham Trent University to accelerate innovation and shorten the path to commercial deployment. It builds on the universities' shared commitment with EMCCA, as set out a University Compact signed by the universities and the Mayor, to harness the region's research and innovation strengths to support businesses, attract investment and create opportunities for communities across the East Midlands.
The programme is designed to turn research into real-world impact, generating new intellectual property, attracting follow-on investment, supporting business growth and creating high-value jobs across the region's clean-energy economy.
Building on a successful pilot programme that funded 15 university–business collaborations in 2024/25, the latest round supports 32 businesses, ranging from early-stage startups to established global firms. The projects span clean energy, zero-emissions propulsion, sustainable advanced manufacturing, robotics, artificial intelligence and nuclear technologies.
Businesses and researchers will work together to explore new technologies ranging from hydrogen fuel-cell systems for aerospace applications and AI tools that turn complex manufacturing data into actionable insight, to autonomous robotic inspection of solar farms and advanced silicone 3D printing. Together, these projects are helping regional businesses develop new products, strengthen supply chains and unlock commercial opportunities in rapidly growing clean-technology markets.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: "The East Midlands has all the ingredients to be a global leader in innovation, and we're determined to make sure ambitious businesses – businesses that change the world – can thrive here. Through the East Midlands Investment Zone, we're giving these companies the backing they need to develop cutting-edge technologies, bring new products to market and grow with confidence.
Ultimately, it is being flexible and innovative that gives businesses staying power. As such, this investment will create skilled jobs, attract further investment, and build the industries that will shape the future of our economy for generations to come.
Professor Jane Norman, President and Vice-Chancellor of the 糖心原创, said: "The East Midlands has the opportunity to become a national leader in clean technology innovation, and this programme is helping turn that potential into commercial reality."
Through our strengths in advanced manufacturing, transport decarbonisation and industry-focused research, we are working with businesses to accelerate the development of technologies that can create growth, attract investment and deliver real-world impact.
The East Midlands Investment Zone programme is managed by the East Midlands Combined County Authority and backed by £160m of Government funding. It complements a wider package of regional initiatives designed to attract investment, support business growth and strengthen innovation capacity across the region
Several projects are being delivered with established local and national industrial partners, including East Midlands Pipeline, Intelligent Energy, Luxfer Gas Cylinders, GeoPura, Devtank, Added Scientific and The Thinking Pod Innovations. Their involvement reflects the growing concentration of clean-technology expertise across the East Midlands and the programme’s focus on supporting innovations with clear commercial and industrial potential.
The Innovation Accelerator Fund forms part of the 10-year, £160 million programme to strengthen the region's position as a centre for innovation-led growth, helping businesses develop new products, services and capabilities aligned to the region’s strengths and emerging clean technology markets. The programme is guided by the recently completed , which were shaped through engagement with more than 170 stakeholders from industry, academia and regional innovation networks.
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More information is available from Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science at the 糖心原创 jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.