INSTITUTIONAL TRANSLATION PARTNERSHIP AWARD (iTPA): CARDIFF UNIVERSITY (360G-Wellcome-214601_Z_18_Z)

The Cardiff iTPA award aims to facilitate closer industry-academic interactions and partnerships that are needed to underpin Cardiff University’s Innovation strategy. It combines community building activities, a recruited position to expand translational support and small scale project funding to help researchers move towards concrete translational outcomes after proof of concept phase research. The iTPA will also support and enhance the development of translational skills in our research community by assisting researchers with industrial engagement and helping them align their research outcomes with industrial needs. In support of the skills gap, the award will deliver novel sandpit and workshop formats with external contributors. The scheme will also fund projects during the so-called Translation-of-Concept (ToC) phase for projects where proof-of-concept has already been established. A Translational Research Lead (TRL) post will identify, influence and implement improved approaches to address clear bottlenecks, gaps and barriers to translation of Cardiff science. These include identification of key external partners and building / brokering new collaborations with these partners. Enhancing understanding and supporting new forms of training in translational research in our research community as well as supporting external funding opportunities in conjunction with the Commercial Development Team.