Million Plus

The university think-tank million+ has welcomed calls for the strengths of universities across the UK to be recognised and utilised in the Government’s forthcoming Science and Innovation Strategy.

Recent million+ analysis revealed in 2012-13 twelve higher education institutions received 50 per cent of quality-related research funding.

Commenting on the report, Professor Michael Gunn,  Vice-Chancellor of Staffordshire University and Chair of million+ said:

“Hyper-concentration of research funding threatens to limit universities’ capacity to collaborate with businesses. We need a more balanced approach to research funding, one that enables businesses in all regions to benefit from collaborating with universities.

“The Government should commit to building research capacity in all universities that award research degrees and a new stream of translational funding to support collaboration with businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors
1. For further information or to arrange an interview, contact Rochelle Owusu-Antwi, Press and Communications Officer, million+ on 020 7717 1658 / 07527 336 795 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk.
2. million+ is a leading university think-tank. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk.
3. The full million+ report ‘Smarter Regions Smarter Britain’ published in March can be found here.
4. The full million+ report ‘The Innovation Challenge’ published in September can be found here.