Research Projects Will Show Impact and Value of Assisted Living Technologies
Eleven British universities and sixteen businesses are to receive a total of nearly £9 million of government investment for research that will help to underpin the development of innovative, cost-effective, user-centred services for independent living. The funding -- from the Technology Strategy Board, the Economic and Social Research Council and the Department of Health’s National Institute for Health Research -- will go towards eight research and development projects in the areas of Economic & Business Modelling and Social & Behavioural Studies.
(PRWeb UK) January 21, 2011
Eleven British universities and sixteen businesses -- including many small and medium sized companies -- are to receive a total of nearly £9 million of government investment for research that will help to underpin the development of innovative, cost-effective, user-centred services for independent living.
The funding -- from the Technology Strategy Board, the Economic and Social Research Council and the Department of Health’s National Institute for Health Research -- will go towards eight research and development projects in the areas of Economic & Business Modelling and Social & Behavioural Studies.
The decision to invest in the eight projects follows a competition managed by the Technology Strategy Board’s Assisted Living Innovation Platform, which supports UK businesses and the health & care sector to develop new technologies and services to support older people and those with long-term conditions in their everyday lives.
Explaining the aims of the research Iain Gray, the Technology Strategy Board’s Chief Executive, said: “New technologies can play a vital role in enhancing the health and well-being of older people and those with long-term conditions. However, while assisted living technologies are becoming increasingly available and affordable their adoption is far from extensive. Understanding the market for such products is a vital step towards meeting the needs of users and service providers. This research will help to show the potential impact of such technology and demonstrate its social and economic value.”
The eight projects will be led by the University of Leeds, Queen Mary University of London, Newcastle University, the University of Sheffield, the University of St Andrews, Coventry University, Tunstall Healthcare Ltd and Healthcare Over Internet Protocol Community Interest Company. Each of the projects will see the lead partner working in collaboration with other universities, businesses, researchers and third sector organisations.
The Technology Strategy Board will invest £6.8 million in the projects while the Economic and Social Research Council will invest £1.5 million and the Department of Health’s National Institute for Health Research £0.5 million. The total cost of the projects, including contributions from the business partners, is over £12 million. The projects will take between 2 and 3 years to complete and they are all due to start between January and April 2011.
Notes to Editors
1. The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led government body which works to create economic growth by ensuring that the UK is a global leader in innovation. Sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Technology Strategy Board brings together business, research and the public sector, supporting and accelerating the development of innovative products and services to meet market needs, tackle major societal challenges and help build the future economy. For more information please visit: http://www. innovateuk. org.
2. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues. It supports independent, high quality research which has an impact on business, the public sector and the third sector. The ESRC's total expenditure in 2009/10 was about £211 million. At any one time the ESRC supports over 4,000 researchers and postgraduate students in academic institutions and independent research institutes. http://www. esrc. ac. uk
3. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) provides the framework through which the Department of Health can position, maintain and manage the research, research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England as a national research facility. The goal of the NIHR is to create a health research system in which the NHS supports outstanding individuals, working in world class facilities, conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients and the public. For more information please visit http://www. nihr. ac. uk/Pages/default. aspx.
4. Further information about the original competition can be found at: http://www. innovateuk. org/content/competition/assisted-living-economic-and-business-models-and-s. ashx.
5. The Economic and Business Modelling theme of the competition aims to provide improved evidence to underpin industry and social enterprise, to encourage investment in (and implementation of) assisted living services and technology. The Social and Behavioural Studies theme aims to better understand the interactions between Assisted Living technologies and services and individuals, families and communities.
6. For further information about the eight projects to be funded please visit: http://www. innovateuk. org/_assets/pdf/Press-Releases/ALIP%20EBM%20SBS%20project%20list%2020jan11.pdf.
7. Companies and other organisations seeking further information about Technology Strategy Board funding opportunities should visit the Competitions page of the Technology Strategy Board website -- http://www. innovateuk. org, email competitions(at)tsb(dot)gov(dot)uk, or phone the Competitions Helpline on 0300 321 4357.
8. Media enquiries only should be addressed to the Technology Strategy Board’s media relations consultant or manager: Nick Sheppard, Media Relations Consultant, Mobile: 07824 599644, Email: nick(dot)sheppard(at)tsb(dot)gov(dot)uk
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