Hewitt explains: "In the past we have failed to take full advantage of the fact that the UK has some of the best scientific and academic minds in the world. The government is committed to ensuring that 'invented in Britain' becomes 'made in Britain'.
"Our universities and research facilities play a vital role in providing Britain with a highly qualified workforce, and it is essential we have the links necessary to turn new ideas and technology into prosperity and jobs."
The award was made as part of the government's Knowledge Exploitation Funding Programme, which will look to invest £120 million in science education and research. The funding is divided into four areas: £80 million will be given to support the continuing development of capacity in universities to interact with businesses and the community; £15 million to give further momentum to education for science and engineering students; £15 m to provide access to seed funds in order to assist the successful transformation of good research into good business; and £10 million to enable public sector research establishments develop their capacity to exploit their science and technology potential and to access seed funding to support the commercialisation of research.
Source
Building Sustainable Design