National Centre for Universities and Business

National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) develops, promotes and supports world-class collaboration between universities and business across the UK

[National Centre for Universities and Business @NCUBtweets]

📢New report

Today we are publishing the State of the Relationship Report 2024, NCUB's flagship report.

Read the report in full here: https://t.co/U5IRobaQZA

#SoR24

[National Centre for Universities and Business @NCUBtweets]

Catch up on the key findings from the State of the Relationship Report 2024 ⬇️

https://t.co/U5IRobaja2

#SoR24

[EPC @EngProfCouncil]

Introducing our speakers for #EANCongress25: Realising the Vision

Rosalind Gill: Head of Policy and Engagement, NCUB

@rosalind_lowe #Engineering #Manchester #ManchesterMet #STEM #HigherEducation @ManMetUni @OfficialUoM @NCUBtweets

https://t.co/65yar9S6v0

[FE News @FENews]

A Crossroad for the HE Sector: Immigration Reform Signals Change Ahead |
@danniellearc @NCUBtweets unpacks the potential impact of the #ImmigrationWhitePaper in HE
https://t.co/LgCgKDeyMi

[The Yorkshire Times @TheYorksTimes]

Over 40% Of UK Universities In Deficit, Sparking Warnings Of Closures And Cuts To Vital Economic Partnerships @NCUBtweets https://t.co/rO00lllwCJ

[Medical Sciences @OxfordMedSci]

Collaborative Care: How university-business partnerships drive medical advancements

Ahead of #WorldMalariaDay25 on Friday, @NCUBtweets latest report features Prof Adrian Hill's work on the R21/Matrix-M™ malaria vaccine. @JennerInstitut, @SerumInstIndia.

https://t.co/qOKW159kTc

[The Yorkshire Times @TheYorksTimes]

University-Business Collaboration Up 62%, But UK Must Go Further To Unlock Full Innovation Potential Says NCUB @NCUBtweets https://t.co/gfJWdUzqLH

[Andrew Mackenzie @awmackenzie]

Great @NCUBtweets webinar for their new report, highlighting their analysis of the last 20 years of university-business collaboration. A key finding is that universities that had little collaboration in 2004 have seen the steepest growth in intervening years.

[Department for Science, Innovation and Technology @SciTechgovuk]

The European Commission has now pre-published the 2025 Horizon Europe Work Programmes. Find out more about available funding opportunities: https://t.co/FUfTNUkXnc

[National Centre for Universities and Business @NCUBtweets]

NCUB Event: Exploring 20 years of university-business collaboration

A new NCUB report reveals that collaboration between UK universities and businesses has increased by 62% over the past two decades. This novel 20-year analysis explores the key factors behind this growth, including the impact of research funding, macroeconomic conditions, and university characteristics. The findings highlight the need for sustained support and economic growth to maintain and enhance collaboration.

Join us online as we unpack the key insights and hear from sector leaders on what the future holds.

🗓️ Monday 28 April 2025
🕑 2:00–3:00pm
📍 Online via Zoom
🔗 https://t.co/DzJbfGOuBi

Speakers include:
• Rosalind Gill, Head of Policy and Engagement, NCUB
• Michael Breslin, Policy and Data Analyst, NCUB
• Olga Kozlova, Director of Innovation & Engagement, University of Oxford
• Malcolm Skingle, Consultant in industry-academia collaboration
• Simon Hepworth, Director of Knowledge Exchange, Research England

For more information, please contact: [email protected]

[National Centre for Universities and Business @NCUBtweets]

Today’s Budget allocations for public research and development (R&D) funding take important steps towards advancing the UK’s position as a global innovation hub. The Government’s continued commitment to research investment, even in challenging fiscal times, is commendable—but there is still more to be done.

As NCUB CEO Joe Marshall highlights: “The Government is taking important steps towards advancing its vision for UK research and innovation, recognising the UK’s critical role as a ‘hub for global innovation’—a key driver of future growth. Public investment in research and innovation is now pivotal to strengthening and expanding this leadership.”

Read our full response here: https://t.co/GpDb2KK6gC

[National Centre for Universities and Business @NCUBtweets]

Spring Forecast: NCUB urges government to protect support for R&D and innovation in the multi-year spending review

With the Office for Budget Responsibility reducing the growth predictions from 2% to 1% for this year, it is imperative that the Government prioritises economic growth. While longer-term projections have increased slightly, the government must continue to invest in R&D and innovation, creating the ecosystem needed for growth.

🔗 Read our full response here: https://t.co/Rplzt3rSy1

[National Centre for Universities and Business @NCUBtweets]

The Department for Education’s plan to create 10,000 additional apprenticeships is a positive step towards tackling critical skills shortages across the UK.

However, uncertainty around funding for higher and degree apprenticeships remains a key concern for universities and employers.

NCUB welcomes the commitment to increasing apprentice numbers but calls for further clarity on upcoming reforms.

Read our full response here: https://t.co/UhY3bjed2W

[Aston University PR @AstonPress]

🎂|Knowledge Transfer Partnerships or #KTPs turn 50 this year

📈Were established to boost UK businesses through collaboration with universities etc

🇬🇧 @AstonUniversity currently manages 40 projects - the largest portfolio in the UK

👉https://t.co/0th9jTKHZk

[i3Drobotics @i3D_robotics]

We partnered with @NCUBtweets to offer a work placement to Anojan, an MSc student studying Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems at @CityUniLondon. This gave Anojan real-world experience & helped us deliver a project on time.

#makingsmallmighty

[Department for Science, Innovation and Technology @SciTechgovuk]

We’re launching a new national campaign to boost UK participation in Horizon Europe - the world’s largest research & innovation programme.

This new push will help business & researchers access funding and strengthen UK-EU science & tech links to tackle shared global challenges

[Department for Science, Innovation and Technology @SciTechgovuk]

The UK is joining four European Research Infrastructure Consortia to further boost UK-EU collaborative research ties 🔬

This will enable UK researchers to collaborate on a wide range of projects in historical research, astronomy and advanced river systems studies.

[National Centre for Universities and Business @NCUBtweets]

💡 Are universities worth it?

Responding to a report highlighting the value of higher education, Skills Minister Jacqui Smith acknowledged universities' critical role in productivity, skills development, and social mobility. While recognising their contributions, she ruled out additional funding, urging the sector to reform, optimise, and collaborate to meet future challenges.

📖 Read NCUB's full analysis by Policy Lead Dannielle Croucher: https://t.co/slJfpzzON1

[Robert A. Phillips @DrRobPhillips]

I've written a piece for @businessgrads on how students can spot #Startup opportunities at university. Examples from @AllianceMBS @spicestoryuk @housr @shinDiggerBeer @PentoneFamily @LITTLEINCA1 and data from @NCUBtweets @santanderuk #Entrepreneurship

https://t.co/UD0JwYjWTe

[National Centre for Universities and Business @NCUBtweets]

As 2025 promises to be an important year for policy developments and strategic direction, we're taking a moment to reflect on 2024 and prepare for the future, bringing you key insights and priorities for the year ahead.

Download our NCUB in 2025 summary to access our top insights across NCUB’s recent outputs – from collaboration trends to R&D funding stats – and to see what we’ve got in the pipeline for this year. ➡️https://t.co/Pd3F7Kc0U7

Get involved with our upcoming work and share your challenges and priorities for 2025. We'd love to hear from you! ➡️[email protected]