University of Cambridge projects awarded funding as part of UKRI’s new proof of concept programme

A total of 48 projects from across the UK are receiving funding from a new £9 million proof of concept programme to support and accelerate the development of new or improved technologies, products, processes and services. The aim of the UKRI fund is to use research to drive growth and create the jobs of tomorrow.

Cambridge-Led Innovations

The Cambridge projects awarded funding are:

CamBoom: Championing Inclusion in Cricket with Engineered Bamboo Bats
Envisioning an inclusive and sustainable future for the sport of cricket by developing low-cost bamboo bats, meeting the needs of millions of players in low and middle-income countries.

Dr Darshil Shah, Department of Architecture

AI-Based Coronary Artery Analysis
Advancing medical diagnostics with artificial intelligence, improving the accuracy and efficiency of coronary artery analysis.

Professor Martin Bennett, Department of Medicine

Pre-Clinical Development of Orally-Administered, Ultra-Stable Antibody Mimetics
This initiative focuses on new treatments for gastrointestinal conditions, using innovative antibody mimetics that can be administered orally. The funding will be leveraged to test antibody mimetics in vivo.

Professor Mark Howarth, Dr Ana Rossi, Yasa Watanabe, Department of Pharmacology

Sustainable Film Packaging from Plant Waste
An innovative solution to create sustainable cellulose-based films at scale from waste plant material, with a range of applications from food and personal care packaging to anti-static discharge bags.

Professor James Elliott, Professor Ruth Cameron, Professor Serena Best, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy

These projects exemplify Cambridge’s commitment to translating world-class research into practical solutions that address global challenges in health, sustainability, and inclusion.

Cambridge Enterprise has collaborated with the researchers for all four of these projects in their innovation journey. Two of these projects have also received funding from Cambridge Enterprise’s Technology Investment Fund (TIF).

Established in 2023, the Technology Investment Fund provides critical early-stage support, enabling researchers to bridge the gap between academic research and commercialisation. This funding helps innovators build confidence in their ventures, reduce risks associated with premature market entry, and attract private investment. By supporting proof-of-concept work, the fund ensures that bold ideas are not only published but also put into practice, delivering tangible benefits to society and the economy. TIF has committed >£3m funding across 35 projects to date.

Professor John Aston continued, “That four Cambridge projects have received UKRI proof of concept funding is a tribute both to the excellence of our researchers and to the support provided by our innovation arm, Cambridge Enterprise, in helping to translate their new ideas into effective solutions to global challenges.”

“The strength of Cambridge research lies not only in its scientific excellence but in our ability to translate discoveries into real-world impact. These projects are a great example of this strength, and showcase the University’s leadership in research translation and innovation. Funding of this kind is vital for nurturing breakthrough ideas and delivering lasting impact.”

Dr Jim Glasheen, Chief Executive of Cambridge Enterprise

To find out more about these projects here.

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