North East Universities x ARIA: Inside How ARIA Finds, Funds, and Backs Ambitious People
The Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) is a UK R&D funding agency that empowers scientists and engineers to pursue breakthroughs at the edge of the possible.
In this event we will share how ARIA shapes the spaces we're exploring, how we fund R&D, and how we work with the research community across the UK and world.
Within our opportunity spaces, we back high-potential research that’s under-explored, but if it works, could deliver major societal and economic impact. From individuals to startups, industry to academia – we support the people and ideas with the ambition to shape the future.
At this event, we’ll share how ARIA identifies and shapes new opportunity spaces, how we design and fund programmes, and how we work with researchers, founders, industry, and institutions across the UK and internationally.
We’ll also discuss the role of Programme Directors at ARIA — the people who define and lead our programmes — and what we look for in individuals capable of shaping entirely new research directions.
If you’re interested in becoming a future ARIA Programme Director, you can register your interest here.
Whether you are interested in applying for funding, collaborating with ARIA, or exploring leadership opportunities within the agency, this session will provide an inside look at how ARIA operates and what we look for in ambitious ideas and people.
Format
11:00 – 11:10 | Welcome & Introduction
11:10 – 12:00 | Open Forum
Introductions to ARIA
How universities can engage with ARIA
Lessons learned from previous funding rounds
12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch
You’ll be joined by the ARIA team — including members from our Procurement & Product team.
13:00 - 14:00 | Round table discussion
Roundtable session for research facilitators to discuss practicalities of applying to ARIA funding calls
Breakout Session 1: Interested in becoming an ARIA Programme Director? — facilitated discussion around future programme ideas and the PD role
Breakout Session 2: Programme Deep Dive — broader research horizons and big questions / exploring current opportunity spaces with ARIA PDs
Breakout Session 3: Working with ARIA — procurement, financial processes and operational practicalities (ARIA procurement team + Pre-Award/Research Managers)
Who's it for?
This event is open to anyone interested in learning more about how ARIA works and funds R&D — from PhD students and postdoctoral researchers to group leaders, founders, research managers, and innovation leaders.
We especially encourage attendees interested in shaping ambitious research agendas and future technologies to attend, including those considering future Programme Director opportunities at ARIA.
For accessibility information, please find it here.