Industry

Bridging academia and industry for the future of metamaterials.

What is the UKMMN?

The UK Metamaterials Network (UKMMN) is an EPSRC NetworkPlus. The UKMMN is a thriving community of c.1000 members from institutions across the UK and abroad, bringing metamaterials stakeholders together from all domains and sectors.

The UKMMN works towards the objective of establishing a well-funded, self-sustaining and world-class metamaterials-enabled UK ecosystem by:

facilitating access to metamaterial experts and facilities (using our Members Database),
promoting the benefits of metamaterial technology to policymakers (e.g. case studies, white papers etc),
enabling closer interactions with end-users (e.g. industry-academia workshops, presence at trade shows).

How to work with us?

We welcome engagement from industry stakeholders and support many opportunities to work with the UK metamaterials community.

UK Metamaterials Strategy

The UKMMN plays a pivotal role in establishing a national strategy for metamaterials. By contributing to leadership initiatives and UKMMN events, members can help shape the vision and direction of metamaterials research and application in the UK.

Contribute to Policy Submissions and Reviews: members of the UKMMN can actively participate in shaping policy submissions and reviews, providing their insights to the UKMMN. This involvement ensures that the perspectives and needs of the metamaterials community are well-represented in national and international policy discussions.
Contribute to Roadmaps for Metamaterials: members are included in calls to participate on roadmaps for the future of metamaterials. These roadmaps help guide the direction of metamaterials research and development and inform responses to governmental calls for evidence.
Have a Voice in Community Consultations: members are encouraged to participate in community consultations, providing invaluable insights and feedback. Our collaborative approach ensures that the strategy for metamaterials is inclusive and reflective of the diverse interests within the community.

Events

Attend UKMMN Conferences and Showcases: join us to network with members and build valuable connections. Key opportunities include the annual Industry Showcase and the UKMMN Early Careers Conference. These events bridge the gap between academia and industry and are perfect platforms for industry stakeholders to engage with researchers and to explore the latest advancements in metamaterials.
Specialist Sandpits and Workshops: participate in specialist sandpits and workshops organized by the Challenge Areas and Special Interest Groups. These events offer direct interaction with researchers, giving industry stakeholders a voice to shape the key challenges that metamaterials can address, ensuring research aligns with industry needs.
Organize and Sponsor Events: collaborate with Special Interest Groups and Challenge Areas to organize impactful events. Industry stakeholders can work closely with the Leadership Team to arrange events targeting key needs. We can also work with industry stakeholders to sponsor events such as the UKMMN Early Careers Conference which provides both an opportunity for early career staff to engage with academic peers, and to take advantage of continuous professional development opportunities.

Funding

Pump Prime Projects: partner with world leading researchers to co-fund or provide in-kind support to Pump Prime Projects. Advantages include:
- De-risking development of a concept;
- Establishing contacts with academic institutions and the UKMMN;
- Long term knowledge gain.
Sponsor Summer Studentships: invest in the future by sponsoring Summer Studentships, with an approximate cost of £5,000 per student for the 2026/27 academic year. This sponsorship helps nurture future researchers and developing collaborations with academics and universities and training future talent in the field with links to industry.
PhD Studentships: support the advancement of metamaterials research by funding PhD studentships. This funding ensures that promising researchers have the necessary resources to pursue advanced studies in the field. The UKMMN can support the creation of studentships by matchmaking between industry stakeholders and academic partners.

Training

Sponsor the UKMMN Early Careers Conference: take advantage of the opportunity to network and upskill at the UKMMN Early Careers Conference. This event is designed to support the professional development of early-career researchers and industry professionals.
Training Events Organized by the UKMMN’s Career Advancement Group: enhance your skills and knowledge, and those of your colleagues, by attending training events organized by the UKMMN’s Career Advancement Group.

Current opportunities

Pump Prime Funding

Early Careers Conference

Key Links

Information Flyers

Please feel free to download and share these flyers.