The funding comes from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), to continue its work in catalysing industrial decarbonisation.

IDRIC said that the funding will allow it to maintain momentum and impact through continued knowledge sharing, supporting skills development, and providing evidence to policymakers to accelerate industrial decarbonisation.

Since its launch in 2021, the centre has made numerous strides on the UK’s road to net zero by supporting challenge-led research projects, industry engagement activities, and policy initiatives.

To date, IDRIC has funded 100 research projects across 34 universities, creating an industrial decarbonisation “Knowledge Hub” for research projects and cluster activities across Scotland, Wales, the Black Country, Northwest, Humber, Teeside, and the Solent.

It’s also supported policymakers at both the UK and devolved levels, carried out skills and training programmes, and developed initiatives that promote equality, diversity, and inclusion for academia, industry, and government.

Speaking on the the year ahead, Lucy Martin, deputy director of cross council partnerships at EPSRC, said: “IDRIC will use the next 12 months to maximise the impact of the research and innovation delivered so far, while laying groundwork for the future research agenda and maintaining engagement across academia, industry, policymakers and other critical stakeholders.

“Through innovation and collaboration their work will pave the way for a cleaner, greener future.”

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Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer, director of IDRIC and UK decarbonisation champion, further added: “IDRIC’s values and mission align with the UK government’s commitment to support and drive net zero goals. In a short space of time, IDRIC has demonstrated its standing internationally as a multi-disciplinary, mission-driven research and innovation centre.”

“Now is the time to really leverage IDRIC’s convening power and engage with our network of academic, industry and government partners to realise the full benefits of the work done so far towards decarbonising Britain’s industrial heartlands.

“During this critical time for driving forward action towards the UK’s net zero goals, IDRIC will deliver key outputs that have been co-created with the communities of the industrial clusters to enable long-lasting economic growth and societal benefits, and moreover, to build the foundations for the new green industries of tomorrow.”