Research and Innovation Strategy Implementation Plan
Executive Summary
Our aim is to transform lives by tackling the major life science, biomedical, population and environmental health challenges of our times through delivery of world class research, innovation and education.
The MVLS Research & Innovation Strategy Implementation Plan 2026-2036 has been developed through discussion with Directors of both Research and IEE, relevant professional service colleagues (College and University), Deans and Associate Deans and with consideration of the University’s developing strategic vision for 2036.
Our Vision
Our vision for 2026–2036 focuses on:
- Delivering quality research outputs and impact.
- To empower our community to deliver ambitious and innovative research that supports our collective purpose to tackle the major challenges that face society through new knowledge and understanding, economic growth and societal impact.
- Empowering our community across all job families.
- Fostering an inclusive research culture that drives innovation-led growth.
Our Strategic Objectives
Excellent and impactful research
- Invest selectively in existing and emerging areas of strength.
- Diversify income streams and grow high-value, collaborative programmes.
- Seamlessly connect discovery research with innovation and impact, including policy, clinical translation and commercialisation.
Ambitious researchers and empowered research teams
- Rebalance our academic community.
- Enhance researcher development, from doctoral training to senior leadership.
- Embed equity, diversity and inclusion across all research development initiatives.
- Support talent across all job families.
Excellent infrastructure and environment
- Develop a coherent clinical and translational research ecosystem.
- Expand and optimise shared research facilities and specialist platforms.
- Plan for future capital developments and more efficient use of space to support cuttingedge discovery, translational and planetary health research.
Our Achievements 2020 - 2025
Research Growth
- Grant applications up 50%; average value up 25%.
- £11M secured via portfolio managers, shared research facilities and advanced grant coaching.
- Awards over £1M up 35%.
- £56M current research awards from industry funding.
Innovation & Impact
- £76M industry and translational funding generated college-wide, across 530 awards.
- >490 awards with industry partnerships last year.
- Impact Accelerator Account doubled to £37M follow-on funding.
- 9 new strategic NHS & industry partnerships.
Entrepreneurship and Training
- Opportunity Development Reviews led to £34M follow on funding.
- Postdoctoral entrepreneurial scheme and internships launched.
- Multiple spin-out companies including: SolastaBio, VascuX, Keltic, SciSeedlets and SalmoSim.
Clinical Ecosystem
- Creation of Centre of Excellence for Trials Collaboration (CETC), Trusted Research Environment and the Digital Health Validation Lab.
- Transformational relationship with other Colleges.
- New collaborations and harnessing their insights.
Research Case Study: Health Inequalities and Austerity
Research Case Study: Molecular Signalling Pathways in Cancer
Research Case Study: Rabies elimination in Tanzania
