The planned world-beating automotive research centre on the outskirts of Bristol has passed a significant milestone after receiving official confirmation that it will receive funding of £10m.
IAAPS – Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems – will help develop the next generation of ultra-low emission vehicles and create an innovative automotive industry cluster in the South West by providing access to its state-of-the art facilities to regional start-ups and small to medium-sized companies. 
Construction work on the £60m centre at the Bristol and Bath Science Park will start next summer following confirmation that the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will allocate £10m to the project.
IAAPS has already received capital investment of £28.9m from the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
The centre will exploit the University of Bath’s existing engineering expertise for the benefit of the UK automotive industry. The university says this will stimulate more than £67m in additional automotive research investment by 2025, create an additional turnover of £800m for the UK automotive sector and support nearly 1,900 new highly productive jobs.
Global companies such as McLaren, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Hofer Powertrain and HORIBA Group, as well as more local businesses such as additive manufacturing pioneer HiETA Technologies, also based on the Bristol & Bath Science Park, have been involved the IAAPS concept.
Vice-president (implementation) Prof Steve Egan said: “This grant is another important milestone in turning our Institute into a reality. Our industrial partners in the automotive industry and beyond have played a key role in our progress so far and will continue to be vital to our future success.
“I’d like to pay tribute to the fantastic staff team who have worked so hard to forge partnerships and secure funding. Prof Gary Hawley, dean of the Faculty of Engineering & Design, Prof Chris Brace and Dr Sam Akehurst have been at the heart of the project from the outset. Dr Jon Hunt, director of research & innovation services and Adam Hickman, economic development manager, led the bid submission very ably and with great success. Many more colleagues from across the university contributed their skills, expertise and time very generously, for which my sincere thanks. 
“I’m looking forward to working with colleagues here and with external partners on the next phase of the project and turning the IAAPS vision into a reality.”
West of England Mayor Tim Bowles added: “Agreeing this funding through the West of England Joint Committee is key to bringing a centre of global excellence for automotive technology to the heart of our region.
“IAAPS will also support the development of a much larger and more competitive automotive business cluster in the West of England, providing access to its state-of-the art facilities to start-ups and small to medium-sized companies. Supporting innovation and business growth is key to our economic success while also developing the skills base to ensure it is sustainable.”
LEP interim chair Steve West said the funding provided an opportunity for the region to continue to innovate and lead important engineering projects for the future.
“As part of this, it’s clear that IAAPS will need to engage with emerging technologies as the UK moves towards cleaner automotive and aviation engines,” he said.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England’s (HEFCE) funding for IAAPS, which is scheduled to open in early 2020, has come through the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF) while the funding from WECA and the LEP has been made from the Local Growth Fund.
