News & views

12 July 2019

Leicestershire Business Voice was delighted to hear the news that the University of Leicester’s new Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Earth Observation Research Centre (METEOR) has received nearly £14 million in funding through Round 6 of Research England’s flagship capital investment scheme, the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF).

The funding will leverage a further £50 million of investments in space and Earth observation (EO) research in Leicester.

METEOR will be a key part of Space Park Leicester, a new, world-leading research, innovation and teaching hub that will bring together academic research, including from the University of Leicester, and industrial space and Earth observation R&D. This internationally unique approach to understanding and delivering space capabilities will position the city of Leicester at the cutting edge of UK space technology.

Space Park Leicester is due to open in late 2020. Industry partners will be able to develop new services and technologies with the support of academic researchers, with invaluable access to a flow of talent and a vibrant innovation community.

Jane Cowley, Chair of Leicestershire Business Voice said: “The University of Leicester has been central to the development of space expertise and research for several decades. To have such a prestigious UK centre located in the city is a major coup and will provide a boost to the wider business community. We welcome this investment and are proud to see the expertise and talent within our area recognised in this way.”