Cross-institutional research collaborations take the spotlight at GW4 Generator Showcase and Launch Event

The official launch of this year’s GW4 research and innovation communities was marked at the 2025 GW4 Generator Showcase and Launch Event on Wednesday 21st May, at the Watershed in Bristol, which also showcased the collaborative efforts and achievements of previous communities. 

The GW4 Building Communities Generator Award  offers funding of up to £20k to enable both new and existing research groups to collaborate across the GW4 universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter, along with external partners. 

The eight newly-funded research communities join over 100 existing GW4-funded collaborative research communities, which have cumulatively generated over £89 million in research income since their formation – resulting in GW4’s highest ever return on investment. Overall, for every £1 that the GW4 Alliance funds through these communities, £25 is captured in external research awards. 

Each of the new communities delivered a short presentation introducing themselves and outlining their research community aims. This year, an array of collaborative communities emerged, spanning a variety of research areas ranging from children and young people’s mental health, antimicrobial resistance, digital sexual health, and maritime advancements.  

All new communities were selected for funding by a panel of expert judges, following a highly competitive application process. The communities are made up of researchers from across the GW4 Alliance, underlining the strength and value of our collaborative approach to research and innovation. 

We also heard a range of inspiring Generator Fund success stories, with communities from the previous funding round sharing their achievements and the insights they gained along the way, in a panel session hosted by Professor Roger Whitaker, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Enterprise for Cardiff University and Chair of the GW4 Board. 

Dr Thomas Leahy, Principal Investigator of the GW4 Island of Ireland Contemporary History and Politics Network Community — one of the projects funded through the 2024 Generator cohort — said: “The GW4 Generator Fund has played a pivotal role in empowering our research community to collaborate effectively across institutional boundaries.  

“By providing the resources and framework to explore novel concepts and interdisciplinary approaches, it has enabled our team to develop innovative ideas with real potential for impact. Crucially, the fund has also helped to establish strong foundations for securing future research funding, positioning our collaboration for long-term success and sustainability.”  

The new communities also heard how the GW4 team can support them in their journey, outlining the resources and opportunities available, from communications support to public affairs, as well as research and development opportunities. 

GW4 Building Communities Manager, Dr Sarah-Louise Dietz, said: “The GW4 Generator Fund offers a distinctive funding opportunity, enabling us to support the development of large-scale research communities capable of achieving a step change in world-leading research that no single institution could accomplish alone. 

“It was inspiring to witness connections emerging both within and across cohorts, allowing our new research communities to engage in meaningful dialogue and draw insights from previous award holders. My thanks go to all the researchers who generously shared their experiences. I hope this event empowers our new communities to realise the full potential of their awards.” 

Our communities 

The GW4 Building Communities Programme aims to build research and innovation communities of scale and capability, delivering a step change in world-class research that could not be achieved by one of the institutions alone. The Programme has two funding schemes: 

• The annual Generator Fund, which awards GW4 communities up to £20K for 6-month projects. 

• The Development Awards Scheme, which supports new, and advances existing, collaborations across GW4 by funding single activities or resources up to £5K. This is a rolling scheme, with no closing date. 

Image credits: Lindsay Fowke