Impact Acceleration Accounts

Our researchers use Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) funding from UKRI to translate their research into real-world impact.

We invest in projects and activities with the greatest potential to create impact beyond academia. Our commitment to research impact informs policy, supports innovation, and strengthens communities in Wales and around the world.

We’re one of 5 institutions with funding from all six UKRI councils who offer IAAs, allowing us to support impact across a breadth of academic disciplines.

We also support training, workshops, showcases, networking, and engagement with the public, policymakers, and industry partners.

Professor Roger Whitaker Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise, Professor of Collective Intelligence

£13 million in funding

including £7.3 million in current awards

Over 500 impact projects

supported since 2015

Over 550 partnerships

with non-academic partners and communities

Our impact

We aim to address big challenges through transdisciplinary working and collaborations with industry, public sector, charitable, and government organisations.

Explore our case studies and news stories to see how Impact Acceleration Account funding is helping Cardiff University research create positive change.

Blog

COLIF: Achieving Impact through Cross-Institution Collaboration

3 August 2026

How can universities contribute in a meaningful way to their communities? How can researchers stay close to what people need? And how can civic partners make the most of the […]

Driving Sustainable Fan Behaviour in Sport: Co-creating Evidence and Impact

16 July 2026

As we reach the final weekend of the FIFA World Cup and reflect how this is one of the world's biggest sporting events, bringing together fans, communities and cultures on […]

How can Wales secure greater public benefit from development?

6 July 2026

A Cardiff University project supported through the ESRC Strategic Impact Fund brought together planners, policymakers, housing organisations and industry specialists from across Wales to explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding […]

Read the blog

Stories

Image shows four young people, standing in front of a white wall, looking away from the camera.

Rethinking support service outcomes with children affected by modern slavery

Anna Skeels’ research with refugee children investigates their experiences of forced displacement and the services designed to protect them.

Weaving Welsh wool into the future of sustainable building design

Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) funding has allowed Dr Eshrar Latif to realise his work on bio-based building materials beyond simulations.

News

Celebrating a decade of impactful research

10 years of Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) success

Environmental sustainability in rugby

Cardiff University academics team up with Dragons RFC and Pledgeball for the 2024/2025 season

Vegetables, fruit and bread being sorted into boxes

Research uncovers the crucial role organisations play in tackling food poverty

Valuable insights into food provision and community initiatives in south Wales have been uncovered through a research project led by Cardiff Business School.

Community

We also interact with local communities through public engagement activities such as Being Human, Festival of Social Sciences and Be a Scientist.

Festival of Social Science

Celebrating and raising awareness of the outstanding social science research at Cardiff University #esrcfestival

Being Human Festival

Being Human is the UK’s national festival of the humanities in celebration of humanities research through public engagement. #BeingHuman2026

Be a Scientist!

An event for children to discover what different scientists do, and explore how science impacts our everyday lives.

Urdd Gobaith Cymru

Urdd Gobaith Cymru has provided opportunities for children to contribute to their communities in Welsh since 1922.

Connect with us

If you are interested in working with us, learning more about our funding, or exploring opportunities for collaboration, please get in touch with the team.

Email us

Governance and operations

The IAA awards are led by our Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise, Professor Roger Whitaker, with Professor Kate Griffiths acting as Portfolio Lead.

Management of our IAAs is carried out by an operational team and supported by strategic leads representing each of the IAAs. These are drawn from experienced academics from across the university.