We deliver ambitious, large-scale collaborative research projects and develop renowned research programmes that create opportunities for the Midlands.
Our projects enable us to deliver innovation at scale. We deliver ambitious, large-scale collaborative research projects and develop renowned research programmes that create opportunities for the region. Our university partners are stronger together and can achieve more through collaboration.
Our flagship collaborative research projects deliver positive impact by taking a proactive approach to identifying bold, ambitious, large-scale programmes.
We involve the right partners in each project, ensuring they have appropriate governance which enables the partnership to make effective decisions.
We provide a responsive resource to convene partners around funding opportunities.
MI TALENT Programme
The transformational TALENT Programme, launched in 2020 and concluding in February 2025, aimed to advance the status and opportunities for technicians in UK higher education and research. The TALENT Commission report gathered new strategic insights into the UK’s technical workforce, resulting in 16 national recommendations. Midlands Innovation universities collectively committed to implementing these recommendations, improving future technical skills, roles, and careers for the 2,100 technicians in the MI community. The programme’s impact is highlighted in this Impact report, which showcases the transformative changes achieved both within the partnership and throughout the UK. The UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy (UK ITSS) now champions the TALENT Commitment, building on its legacy and expanding efforts to create a sustainable and skilled technical workforce for the future. Training materials, publications, and resources delivered by the TALENT Programme remain available here.
Foreign Direct Investment into Research and Development
Led by Midlands Innovation and Midlands Enterprise Universities, along with local economic growth partners (Midlands Engine, West Midlands Growth Company, LEPs), and national government, we have collectively developed the Invest in UK University R&D Midlands Campaign. Launched at UKREiiF in 2024, this £3 million campaign builds on the success of the Universities as Drivers of Trade and Investment’ Pilot, which highlighted the significant role universities can play in driving overseas trade and investment into UK regional R&D.
Midlands Mindforge – An ambitious investment company
Midlands Mindforge was founded by MI partners in 2023 to accelerate the commercialisation of university spinouts and early-stage IP rich businesses in the region. Recognising that a lack of access to finance in the region’s research and innovation ecosystem might be hindering the ability of companies emerging from our universities, this new company was set up to support research entrepreneurs through early access to investment and encourage innovation in science and technology.
Collaborating to create a Space Cluster
The Midlands Innovation Space Group combines 900 academic, research and technical staff within the Midlands. In 2023, a share of £6.5m was secured from the UK Space Agency to leverage collective research and innovation capabilities. Our partners are developing a Space Cluster in the region to help accelerate the development of a thriving space ecosystem the UK.
The trail-blazing Universities as Drivers of Trade and Investment project aims to tackle underinvestment in the region, help to increase skills and employment, and is using Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to support economic growth, bringing together a coalition of 17 universities and partners.
Alex Favier,
Programme Director, Universities as Drivers of Trade and Investment, Midlands Innovation
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Midlands Innovation partners with other universities to deliver bold and ambitious research programmes, like the Universities as Drivers of Trade and Investment Pilot. If you have an interest that aligns with our research and innovation priorities, please contact info@midlandsinnovation.org.uk
We aim to deliver ambitious, large-scale collaborative research projects that create opportunities for the region. We collaborate with organisations, such as national, regional and local government, the NHS, and public and private sector businesses.
We deliver world-class research that impacts the people living in our communities.
By delivering ambitious, place-based initiatives, Midlands Innovation helps to tackle the region’s biggest challenges. Our collaboration works to champion and strengthen the region’s research and innovation ecosystem.
We catalyse new research collaborations across the Midlands Innovation membership, creating research communities for a purpose. We generate new ideas in partnership with regional stakeholders.
Our collaborative approach influences future prospects for the region. We shape and inform national and local policy through research and innovation projects we deliver together.
