Research Wales Innovation Fund Strategy 2020/21-2022/23

Research, innovation and civic mission are central to our Way Forward 2018/23 strategy.

We are committed to playing an active role in supporting Wales’ revival and renewal after the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The following principles underpin our three-year strategy to deliver innovation for all:

• Supporting innovation and civic mission and the Well-being of Future Generations (2015) Act.
• Placing research excellence at the heart of our innovation and civic mission delivery, creating greater alignment and synergy across all three areas.
• Focusing on activities placing us in a competitive position for national and international recognition as a leading driver of research and innovation, in areas of considerable importance to renewal post COVID-19.
• Growing and diversifying our business and strategic partnerships to catalyse inward investment into Wales, including supporting degree apprenticeships, innovative FE-HE training partnerships, and job creation in regional priority sectors.
• Delivering innovative training and support to our staff and students to enhance their ability to collaborate effectively with external organisations, complemented by CPD designed to grow skills and widen access to University research expertise of value to the Welsh economy.
• Developing an entrepreneurial and commercial mindset in staff and students via enhancing opportunities to deliver enterprise and civic mission activities, in collaboration with business partners and local communities.
• Continuing our growth in research awards, specifically via leverage of sizeable million-pound investments designed to sustain and grow innovation activity in South Wales, working with the Welsh Government,  Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) and the Western Gateway.
• Boosting knowledge exchange capability via supporting start-up, spin-out and SME partners to access University research and development, investment and commercial opportunities.

The delivery of this ambitious plan is made possible by a grant from the Research Wales Innovation Fund from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW).