An extensive multimillion pound deal has been announced by David Willetts, the Minister for Universities and Science, between the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) and Jaguar Land Rover.
The collaboration involves the development of the Advanced Propulsion Research Laboratory (APRL). The laboratory will combine new infrastructure with research and resources to create technologies in the propulsion systems that are central to the future competitiveness of the automotive industry.
Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, chairman of WMG said: “The Advanced Propulsion Research Laboratory will lead research to address arising needs, transforming the research and innovation landscape and positioning the UK as a leading innovator in propulsion systems.”
The APRL is one of three projects from the third round of the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF). The other projects include The Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, and Cranfield University’s Aerospace Integration Research Centre.
These projects have an estimated cost of £183m. The ARPL was granted £14.5m from UKRPIF and over £50m came from its industrial sponsors. Universities around the UK have received £350m in public funding, and have secured at least double that amount of investment from businesses or charities, together delivering more than £1.3bn of new funding for research.