New scholarship aims to inspire the next generation of scientists

It was agreed that to deliver powerful success in the energy sector it is essential to have an ecosystem that offers the combination of: education, training, support for start-ups and SMEs from proof of concept stage through to commercialisation, in an environment where funding, research facilities and the right commercial accommodation are present.

With further growth in mind, the cluster already unites over 30 industry, academic and public organisations in an ecosystem where fundamental research is rapidly accelerated through to successful commercial outputs and into high-tech manufacturing. Core areas of focus for the cluster will include energy storage and battery technologies, carbon neutral alternatives to fossil fuels and smart technologies that will shape the future of carbon-free building design.

Dr. Barbara Ghinelli, UKRI-STFC Director of Campus Business Development and Cluster Lead commented: “The Harwell EnergyTec Cluster is part of a well-established entrepreneurial ecosystem that facilitates collaboration and risk sharing, making it easier to attract new investments and gain economies of scale whilst also tapping into a pool of highly-skilled people.” 

Founding Executive Chair of the Faraday Institution, Prof. Peter Littlewood, commented: “The next generation of energy storage innovations will come from the next generation of scientists and engineers. Investing in training and technical education will not only advance the UKs energy capabilities but it addresses current inequalities of opportunity in the workplace and by working with industry we can bring secure, well-paying jobs to the whole of the country, at all skill levels.”

To help meet these objectives, Littlewood announced the creation of the Michael Faraday Scholars Programme, an undergraduate scholarship for meritorious students from financially and socially disenfranchised backgrounds who wish to pursue science and technology degrees with an emphasis on energy storage science or engineering.

Bill David, Professor at the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory at Oxford added: “There is a recognised worldwide imperative to move to green and clean energy solutions and the UK is well placed to make major contributions to this global grand challenge. The Faraday Institution and the Harwell Campus are key exemplars of initiatives that will educate, enable and inspire new generations of UK scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs to invent, innovate and commercialise radically new solutions that will create UK jobs, UK companies and global solutions. Many of the new and innovative UK energy storage companies can trace their origins back to Harwell - the education of new generations of energy experts will retain and grow this critical future component of UK industry.”

The scholarship programme, available to students attending participating universities in the UK, will officially open in June and will cover tuition costs over four years.