The Institute for Agri-Food Research and Innovation (IAFRI) is a progressive research partnership of Newcastle University and Fera Science Ltd (Fera) established in 2015 to support collaborative early Technology Readiness Level research across both organisations.

At Fera, IAFRI research outputs are fast-tracked into innovation to deliver new expert services, scientific innovations, technologies, skills and practice to support the agri-food-environment sector for both immediate and longer-term impact. IAFRI provides a fertile environment for collaborative applied research, talent development and employment opportunities for postgraduate researchers.

Fera has partnered with the University of York and Askham Bryan College on BioYorkshire, a 10 year globally ambitious programme that aims to transform the UK’s bioeconomy through world class research and commercialisation facilities, a network of specialized business hubs, and training and skills support and propel the region into growing a vibrant and dynamic bioeconomy - using renewable, biological resources to create greener products which minimise waste and reduce our reliance on fossil fuel.

BioYorkshire will use biobased innovation to transform Yorkshire’s economy through world-class research and translation facilities, a network of specialised business incubators, training, networking, and entrepreneurial support. The project will also support net-zero food production, farming, and wider land use practices.

The aim is to build on the region’s unique strengths in research, industry, and farming to create a global, bio-innovation powerhouse that will level up the economy in Yorkshire and the north of England to become the epicentre of the UK’s bioeconomy and is designed to connect two priority industrial sectors, agriculture, and chemicals. BioYorkshire will have scientists, engineers, economists, and entrepreneurs collaborating to develop the greener products and processes needed by industry and consumers.

National scientific laboratory network and infrastructure assets with world leading expertise to protect our people, the environment and to project and promote our global science capability.

The National Laboratories Alliance (NLA), a network of eleven UK Public Sector laboratories, provides a unique connected service for national good which strengthens UK resilience to external threats, leads on projecting the UK’s science and technology capability internationally and supports business and trade.

Review of the UK’s Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Organisational Landscape

National Laboratory Alliance members are extremely supportive of Sir Paul Nurse’s recently published ‘Independent Review of the UK’s Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Organisational Landscape’

The importance of permeability between organisations across the RDI landscape, and the value of increased awareness of PSRE’s is clearly highlighted. The NLA members welcome the opportunity to work as part of government to ensure an increased role for PSRE’s in providing evidence to support strategy and policy making and working across boundaries.