£23.7m investment to drive innovation, growth and opportunity across North East England

Four major innovation projects in North East England – all involving or connected to Durham University – are to receive a total of £23.7 million to develop new technologies, create jobs, and support economic growth and opportunity across the region.

Official response and confirmed impact

The projects, CRAFT, NE CAGE, NOVA and Sycamore, are to receive support through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF), and the investment is expected to unlock a further £55m in private investment.

We are involved with or connected to all four projects, working with businesses and public-sector partners to create opportunities for companies to access expertise, facilities and research capabilities, develop new technologies and products, build skills, and bring innovations closer to market.

We are leading the Centre for Realisation and Advancement of Future Technologies (CRAFT).

Planned to be based at NETPark near Durham, CRAFT will bring together researchers, industry and public-sector partners to help turn scientific research, in areas including space and fusion, into practical technologies and create new opportunities for businesses to develop and grow.

North East Centre for Accelerating the Green Economy (NE CAGE), led by Procter & Gamble, brings together Durham and two other North East universities with innovative regional businesses and partners to develop the next generation of sustainable chemicals and materials.