University of Kent MRC IAA Launch Event.

The University of Kent launched the Medical Research Council (MRC) Impact Acceleration account on Friday the 7th October.

The MRC awarded the University of Kent with a £300,000 Impact Acceleration Account (IAA). This funding will be used to flexibly support a wide range of translation research projects, that must involved external stakeholders such as industrial partners, and the clinical sector. The award aim is to accelerate the transition from early discovery research to translational development projects, including new therapies, diagnostics, applications and medical devices to improve human health.

The event included a workshop on translation research by Professors Michelle Garrett, Darren Griffin and Jennifer Hiscock, focusing on creating health impact from translational research, how to write successful translational funding applications and how to network effectively, both digitally and in the real world.

The launch event that followed was hosted by Professor Michelle Garrett with case studies presented by Professor Darren Griffin, Professor David Wilkinson, and Dr James Bentham.

Lead Professor Michelle Garrett said:

“It was great to see academia, industry and clinical stakeholders coming together, interacting and forming new relationships that will be the foundation of future translational science within the University”