Are you a Greater Manchester-based organisation responsible for delivering, managing or shaping essential services, utilities, infrastructure or community amenities? Do you have an environmental challenge or innovation opportunity that could be delivered through academic collaboration?
Secure up to £10,000 in seed funding while developing relationships, evidence, tools, pilots and pathways to accelerate sustainable place-based transformation.
On Wednesday, 18th November, Sustainable Futures will be hosting its second annual Innovation Lab. The Lab will explore key questions, including how to accelerate the adoption of climate-resilient infrastructure, restore nature at scale, reduce energy and resource consumption, and empower communities to shape locally appropriate responses.
Who should apply
We are looking for Greater Manchester organisations with a challenge or innovation opportunity aligned with our 2026 mission, Thriving, Inclusive and Sustainable Places, particularly those relating to the delivery and management of essential infrastructure, utilities and community amenities.
To apply, you will need to:
· Share a high-level overview of your environmental challenge/question/opportunity where academic input could add value.
· Commit 2-3 representatives to attend the in-person, half-day, Innovation Lab on University campus.
Challenge/opportunity areas could address, but aren’t limited to:
• Decarbonising and climate-proofing homes, transport systems and critical infrastructure.
• Sustainable water management, including water scarcity, flood resilience and water quality improvement.
• Reducing resource use, waste and emissions through circular and alternative economic models.
• Scaling nature-based solutions and biodiversity recovery to increase ecosystem and societal resilience.
• Improving climate readiness, health, wellbeing and equity through resilient, accessible and sustainable community amenities, public spaces and local services.
The Innovation Lab Process
Successful applicants will be matched with multidisciplinary academic researchers. Over the course of the Innovation Lab, teams will:
• Define the Challenge: Collaboratively refine the specific sustainability problems presented by partners.
• Generate Solutions: Engage in creative thinking activities to develop multidisciplinary approaches.
• Assess Feasibility: Use a feasibility matrix to identify the most viable and impactful solutions.
• Pitch for Funding: Present a project plan to an expert panel for immediate seed corn funding.
Successful pitches will secure up to £10,000 seed funding to pay for academic expertise to develop the project plan and help overcome the organisation’s challenge.
Funding is intended for exploratory, feasibility, or scoping studies (e.g., literature reviews, focus groups, or "proof of concept" demonstrators) rather than full-scale solutions.
How to apply
Applicants should complete the Expression of Interest form by 14th October 2026.
When selecting Lab participants, consideration will be given to:
• A clear and focused challenge, meaningful to both academics and business, policy, and/or civil society.
• Alignment to Sustainable Future’s mission ‘Thriving, Inclusive and Sustainable Places’ and the delivery and management of essential infrastructure, utilities and community amenities.
• Future growth: A primary goal is to use these seed projects to build relationships and evidence for larger collaborative research proposals such as KTPs or IAA funding.
• Social engagement: Community-engaged and/or co-produced approaches that deliver locally relevant and socially just outcomes.
While not mandatory, partner organisations are encouraged to provide match-funding or in-kind support to enhance the project’s scope.
Further support
If you have any questions regarding the relevance of your environmental challenge or want to discuss the opportunity more broadly, please contact Lucy.Latham@manchester.ac.uk to organise an informal chat.
