Thirty-six projects will share £32.4 million from the first round of UKRI’s new cross-research council responsive mode pilot scheme.

The projects are designed to stimulate innovative new interdisciplinary research, with several projects from Scottish universities taking part.

Treatment for bile duct cancer, degradation of toxic organic pollutants, historical accounts that inform marine ecosystem management, and techniques to protect children’s digital data are among the breakthrough projects being funded.

Following along this first round, the second phase of funding is now launching with a further £32.5 million available.

The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) cross research council responsive mode (CRCRM) pilot scheme is supporting new and creative interdisciplinary ideas emerging from the research community.

The scheme aims to unlock new research and methods that is not possible with current disciplinary thinking, encourages interdisciplinary research, and supports transformative research that can lead to the creation of new disciplines.

A project from The University of Edinburgh was a featured recipient of the funding, which focused on empowering children to understand and benefit from their personal data.

Professor Andrew Manches is set to lead the project to change perceptions about children and their personal data through the creation of child-centered tools and teaching practices.

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The project will work with 270 children aged three to eight in schools, Edinburgh Zoo and Glasgow Science Centre to construct physical representations of personal data that children can touch, explore, talk about and learn with.

It aims to contribute knowledge to early learning, cognitive psychology, child-centered design, data ethics, data visualisation and computer science.

UKRI also highlighted a project from Heriot-Watt University, Aston University, and University of Birmingham to explore the use of biochar, a charcoal-like material made from non-recyclable biomass, as a low-carbon building material to help reach net zero.

It will test the performance, durability, and thermal conductivity of biochar in materials such as concrete, brick, plaster, and grout.

A project from the University of Glasgow, led by Huabing Yin, will also benefit from funding. This project will look into anti-tumour immunity via the role of tumor microbiota using high resolution molecular profiling.

The University of Stirling will gain funding for their research looking into ecological knowledge games as well.

Additionally, a project from University of Strathclyde will look at the sustainability of AI when it comes to energy demand.