The partnership addresses long-standing barriers that limit collaboration in health research. Challenges include difficulties in connecting with the right people and organisations, lack of incentives for cross-sector working, and limited understanding about how to work effectively across sectors. 

Launched in 2022, the Academy’s Cross-Sector Programme tackles these challenges through regional networking hubs and targeted funding opportunities, creating the infrastructure needed for meaningful collaboration to thrive. 

Working across a population of 16 million people, the NHSA is the North of England’s health research partnership connecting 11 universities and nine research-intensive NHS Trusts. The hub will harness regional strengths in health and life sciences to ensure local expertise, priorities and perspectives help shape national conversations. 

The Northern Hub joins a thriving network of regional hubs – including partnerships in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Together, these hubs ensure that regional expertise and priorities are embedded into national conversations. By connecting regional insights, the hubs can create a national framework, translating research into real-world impact, addressing inequalities and strengthening coordination across the full health and life sciences innovation pipeline. 

The partnership will deliver cross-sector networking events across the North West, North East, and Yorkshire and the Humber. Co-developed with the Academy, these events will focus on areas where collaboration can drive the greatest impact, including preventative health research, commercialisation of academic research in cell and gene therapies and enabling technologies, and women’s health research. 

Each event will be designed to spark genuine dialogue, build new connections and support follow-on activity, from early collaborative discussions through to joint projects and funding bids. 

Professor James Naismith FRS FRSE FMedSci, Vice President (Non-Clinical), Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “We’re excited to be partnering with the Northern Health Science Alliance as part of our Cross-Sector Programme. Breaking down barriers between sectors is essential if we want research and innovation to translate into real improvements in health. 

“The North of England has extraordinary depth and breadth of expertise across health and life sciences. By working with the NHSA as a regional hub, we’re bringing people together across sectors and career stages, and supporting new ways of working. This partnership ensures that the voice and priorities of the North are fully embedded within the UK’s wider research and innovation ecosystem.” 

Hannah Davies, Chief Executive Officer, NHSA, said: “The North of England has incredible talent and assets across the health and life sciences sectors and through this new Northern Hub, we can galvanise our collective strengths for greater impact and influence.  

“We are delighted to be working with the Academy of Medical Sciences to deliver its Cross-Sector Programme within the northern regions. Drawing on our established networks, we will unite regional partners across relevant research fields to develop impactful collaborations aimed at addressing major health challenges.” 

The Academy also supports wider work to enable cross-sector mobility and collaboration through its Cross-Sector Experience Awards. These awards provide up to £100,000 in flexible funding for individuals to spend up to a year working in a sector different from their own, creating the time and space needed to develop new perspectives, share expertise and build lasting collaborations.  

Funded by the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Wellcome, the Cross-Sector Programme is part of the Academy’s wider ambition to strengthen the UK health research system by supporting collaboration across disciplines, sectors and regions. By investing in people, partnerships and place-based networks, the programme helps build a research ecosystem that is more connected, inclusive and responsive to the health challenges facing society.