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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.

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£7.7 million in funding

Funding from UKRI IAA has resulted in 225 impact projects.

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240 partnerships

We've developed partnerships with non-academic partners and communities.

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Research Excellence Framework

We've supported the development of 40 REF 2021 case studies.

Our Impact Acceleration Accounts

Find out about each IAA fund.

Harmonised Impact Acceleration Account

Harmonised Impact Acceleration Account

Our Harmonised Impact Acceleration Accounts help us to foster close collaboration with industry, policymakers and the public to apply research evidence in diverse and innovative ways.

Economic and Social Research Council

Economic and Social Research Council

Our Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Impact Acceleration Account enables our researchers to have positive impact that improves outcomes for individuals, advances society and strengthens the economy across the UK and beyond.

Arts and Humanities Research Council

Arts and Humanities Research Council

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) projects we fund are dedicated to generating a vibrant future for society and the economy through arts and humanities research.

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Impact Acceleration Account helps to bridge the gap between our research and its outputs.

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Science and Technology Facilities Council

The focus of the Science and Technology Facilities Council Impact Acceleration Account funding is to support Proof of Concept work and to demonstrate the feasibility of a specific research methods or ideas.

Medical Research Council

Medical Research Council

We are committed to improving human health through collaborative medical discovery research that fulfils unmet clinical needs.

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Our Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) aims to support a thriving and sustainable future by translating research into practical action and change.

Contact us

Impact and Engagement Team