09.03.20
Almost £3m unveiled to support female science innovators
Close to £3m has been announced by the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and UK Research and Innovation to support entrepreneurial female innovators and young people into science.
Yesterday’s announcement (Mar 8), from the UK’s first dedicated female Science Minister, Amanda Solloway, will see over 100 women and young people supported by government to turn cutting-edge ideas into successful businesses.
Inventions around clean energy solutions and healthcare services could be brought into fruition with 10 female inventors receiving £50,000 each as well as coaching and mentoring.
It comes after news that female entrepreneurs could contribute £250bn to the UK economy if that had the ability to start and scale their businesses at the same rate as men.
Speaking on International Women’s Day, Science Minister Amanda Solloway said:
“Looking through the UK’s history, we find inspirational women in every decade, from Ada Lovelace to Rosalind Franklin and Dorothy Hodgkin. Their discoveries had a profound impact on all our lives.
“We are committed to supporting women and young people and opening up new opportunities for them. Initiatives like the Women in Innovation Awards and the Young Innovators’ Awards will help the next generation of inventors turn their unique concepts into businesses.”
£2.2m of the funding will go to the Young innovators’ Awards, a government-backed award in partnership with The Prince’s Trust. The award will support young people and provide an environment that supports creativity.
The packages will include a £5,000 grant, private coaching and an allowance to cover living costs throughout the three-year programme, aimed at 18-30 years olds from a variety of different backgrounds.
Today’s announcement supports the government’s ambitions to significantly develop research across the UK with ambitions to reach 2.4% by 2027.
Since the launch of the Women in Innovation programme in 2016, the number of women leading applications to Innovate UK has increased by 70%.