Our prioritisation process

Through the Academic Strategy, we will identify new opportunities that align with Imperial’s priorities that we are uniquely placed to exploit. These opportunities may include new academic programmes, research centres, new partnerships and communities, and responding to global challenges. By investing in people, infrastructure, and resources across our faculties, departments, and Global Challenge Institutes, we will define key actions that will help our community to drive this agenda.

Over the coming years, we will strategically invest in implementing several initiatives that align with the Academic Strategy. In addition to leveraging Imperial’s internal capabilities, we will also build partnerships with our external stakeholders to support the delivery of our ambition.

We will continue to invest in interdisciplinary and novel discovery science. Faculties and departments will continue to lead in maintaining excellence in these areas, which are essential for seizing both immediate and future opportunities. Together, we will build on our strengths by identifying and enabling opportunities that reach across Imperial.

Selecting our strategic priorities

Twice a year, the Academic Strategy Gateway Board considers proposals submitted by the academic community, through a ‘2 Gateway’ prioritisation process. Proposals need to demonstrate interdisciplinarity with impact across multiple departments and should plan for financial sustainability after the funding period. Proposals should be endorsed by at least one Faculty Dean, Vice-Provost, or School of Convergence Science Director.

Proposals selected for further development will be considered at a second ‘gateway’. Depending on the nature of the proposal, some projects will need to triaged into existing Imperial processes for consideration, for example, capital or IT projects.

11 projects have been selected so far to receive seed funding investment for up to three years. Discover more about the projects supported through the Academic Strategy Gateway.

Meeting dates and Board Members

The Academic Strategy Gateway Board meet twice a year to consider proposals at each stage of the Gateway process and discuss the progress of currently funded initiatives.

For more information on the prioritisation process and deadlines, or if you intend to submit a proposal, please contact academicstrategy@imperial.ac.uk.