Academics and researchers at the University won £18.2m worth of grants and awards in 2014/15 – the highest total ever.
The total was 31% above the five-year rolling average of £13.8m and marks the continuation of an upward trend. Research income has also increased – up 8% on the five-year rolling average to £13.7m.
Among notable research awards in 2014/15 were:
- Dr Chris Toseland (School of Biosciences): £1.1m Career Development Award from the Medical Research Council – the largest ever MRC award at Kent.
- Professor Martin Warren (Biosciences): £3.5m BBSRC LoLa Award, in partnership with Queen Mary and Bristol – Kent’s share was £1.4m and is the University’s first ‘longer, larger’ award.
- Professor Andy Hone (Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science): £687k Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Fellowship – the first of the new-style EPSRC fellowships at Kent.
- Dr Heather Ferguson (Psychology): A prestigious £1m European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant.
Commenting on the record awards, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Philippe De Wilde said: ‘This is excellent news, and all of those who contributed to it should be justifiably proud. It is a testament to Kent’s world-class research, but also to the commitment and vision of our staff. They are the ones who have mapped out exciting and inspiring research, and have demonstrated how it will be supported by robust project management.’
Further information on the awards is available in the latest edition of the Research Services newsletter, Research Active.