Thursday 9 October 2025

Two Queen’s University researchers have been awarded proof of concept funding from UK Research and Innovation, recognising the commercial potential of their innovative projects.

Dr Rebecca Ingram from the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen's University Belfast is advancing the development of a maternal vaccine to prevent neonatal sepsis, a serious and often fatal condition that remains a leading cause of infant mortality worldwide.

Dr Richard Whalley from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen's University Belfast is leading Project STARLITE, which is developing super-miniature, ultra-sensitive force sensors. These have potential applications in small spacecraft, next-generation aircraft, and advanced biotechnology, where precision and weight efficiency are critical.

PoC funding plays an important role in the research commercialisation journey. Positioned between academic research grants and private investment, it provides the resources needed to demonstrate feasibility, build prototypes, and validate market opportunities.

For many successful Queen’s spin-outs, PoC funding has been a vital step in moving from discovery to market-ready innovation.