Backed by members and Research England, NCUB secures four-year funding to boost collaboration

The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) today welcomes renewed four-year support from Research England.

With this funding, NCUB will expand its work convening universities and businesses, providing evidence, insight and practical tools that help translate research, innovation and talent development into benefits for the economy and society.

This investment sits alongside the committed support of NCUB’s university and business members, whose active participation ensures that policy, evidence and practice are grounded in the realities of both sectors. It is this unique partnership model — combining government funding with membership engagement — that enables NCUB to act as a trusted convener and national voice for collaboration.

Over the next four years, NCUB will deliver an ambitious programme of work under its new Forward Plan. Backed by Research England’s investment and the active support of its members, NCUB will pursue three strategic aims that set out a vision for a UK that is more competitive, more collaborative, and better prepared for the future:

• Help make the UK a more competitive destination for business investment by understanding business needs and advising policy makers.

• To strengthen connections between businesses and universities to turn ideas into transformative innovations by shaping UK policy and practice.
• To build collective understanding and a coordinated response to a world that is rapidly changing by strategically convening all parts of the skills, research and innovation system.

Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Executive Chair, Research England, said:

“This funding recognises the vital role of the National Centre for Universities and Business in strengthening the links between research and industry. By supporting collaboration at a national level, we can help turn research into practical innovation that boosts economic growth and addresses the UK’s long-term challenges underpinned by our great university system.”

Sam Laidlaw, Chair, NCUB:

“We deeply appreciate this renewed investment from Research England, alongside the steadfast support of our university and business members. Together, these partnerships highlight the indispensable role of collaboration as a driving force within the UK’s research and innovation system. This combined backing empowers us to partner with policymakers, share best practice, and deliver the evidence needed to build a more resilient and dynamic ecosystem that benefits communities across the nation.”

Notes to editors:
For further detail on NCUB’s priorities and commitments, see this article by Sam Laidlaw.