Impact Acceleration Accounts
We are committed to ensure our research makes a real difference to society. Impact Acceleration Account investment represents a core source of funding for our impact activities.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Impact Acceleration Accounts (IAAs) offer flexible funding to support activities which help to improve the use of research findings by beneficiaries and end users including businesses, charities, public sector, policy makers and other organisations.
Our objectives
Our objectives are to fund projects that have the greatest potential to achieve impact from innovative and imaginative approaches to partnership and knowledge exchange, including:
- funding seed-corn and accelerator projects which take new ideas from research to use in business, society and public life
- supporting policy changes that shape how organisations adapt and improve their services, processes and outcomes for users and beneficiaries
- strengthening networks with potential users of research
- enabling residences and exchanges which allow partners to join us and placements where our staff join external organisations on a temporary basis
Funding
Since 2015, nearly £8 million in IAA funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and Medical Research Council (MRC) has enabled our research to inspire real world change in our communities and beyond.
Our £3 million harmonised UKRI IAAs encompass funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) EPSRC, MRC, and STFC. The ESRC currently sits outside this integrated UKRI IAA portfolio.
£7.7 million in funding
Funding from UKRI IAA has resulted in 225 impact projects.
240 partnerships
We've developed partnerships with non-academic partners and communities.
Research Excellence Framework
We've supported the development of 40 REF 2021 case studies.
Our Impact Acceleration Accounts
Find out about each IAA fund.