The hubs will be based at the University of Southampton and Brunel University in London and will work in collaboration with academics at universities across the country. They are funded for the next seven years by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Each will have a programme of research in the engineering and physical sciences, related to the challenges in commercialising early stage research.
According to the EPSRC, the hubs will feature multidisciplinary research that has strong engagement with manufacturing industries and will take a leadership role in their national network.
EPSRC’s £20 million investment will be enhanced by £14m from the universities and a further £58m from industry.
Johnson said: “From cars to smartphones, our world-leading research drives innovation and growth in the UK’s manufacturing industries. With this £92m investment, these new manufacturing hubs will develop the next generation of high tech products in communications and healthcare, as well as tackle industry challenges such as rising materials costs.”
Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC’s chief executive, said: “These two new manufacturing hubs will help manufacturing industries respond to the opportunities and drivers in the sector. They also build upon EPSRC’s previous investment successes of Innovative Manufacturing Research Centres and EPSRC centres for Innovative Manufacturing, and we have recently announced a call for proposals for further hubs. We are confident universities and industry collaborators will embrace this new opportunity to invest in the future of UK manufacturing through research.”
