Alliance Manchester Business School nabs £9.7m funding boost for new research space

Alliance Manchester Business School has received a seven-figure boost from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

The £9.7m grant, awarded through the HEFCE-managed UK Research Partnership Investment fund (UKRPIF), will add to the £23m of private investment already secured for the redevelopment of the business school.

Forming part of the wider £1bn University of Manchester Campus Masterplan, the £84m refurbishment will deliver a number of new research spaces, including a learning resources centre, data analytics visualisation lab and behavioural economics and strategic management lab.

The head of Alliance Manchester Business School, Prof. Fiona Devine, said: “It is testament to our research strength that HEFCE has identified Alliance Manchester Business School as a driver for economic and inclusive growth in the region.

“Our redevelopment will act as a catalyst for greater interdisciplinary working amongst research colleagues and business partners, extend links with leading international partners, and facilitate enhanced research-led education for students and clients.”

She added: “It has coincided with the emergence of the government’s Industrial Strategy and will enable us to make a rapid impact in balancing the economy through regional economic development.”

The grant, announced on Tuesday (July 11) by Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson, is one of nine projects in the current round of UKRPIF funding.

HEFCE’s director of research, education and knowledge exchange, David Sweeney, who is also the chief executive designate of Research England, commented: “I am delighted that we are able to support these nine projects that will deliver high class facilities and world leading research, enabling UK universities to continue to tackle major national and global challenges, and make a significant contribution to economic growth.”

Jo Johnson MP said: “The UK’s world-renowned leadership in science, research and innovation is helping to solve a range of national and global challenges, and the breadth of the projects funded today means this will continue.

“Through our Industrial Strategy and £4.7bn investment for research and development, we’re ensuring we capitalise on the great work taking place in universities across the UK and remain at the forefront of innovation.”