New body launched to bid for construction research funds

A new body - the National Technology Platform (NTP) for the Built Environment - has been launched to provide a vehicle to bid for European and UK government research funds for R&D in the construction sector.

The NTP’s objectives include: establishing a strategic research and innovation agenda; influencing the regulatory environment; defining future training and resource needs for the sector; supporting innovative procurement methods; supporting the adoption of best practice and benchmarking industry improvements.

“The mission of the UK NTP is to support the creation of a competitive, innovative and technology led construction sector fit for the 21st Century,” said Bob White, chairman, nCRISP. 

“By getting the industry to unify and foster a collaborative, knowledge based research driven approach, we will sustain a first class industry and ultimately contribute to our built environment that shapes society in the future.”

Under the NTP, a high level group will work together to develop a strategic research agenda and will consist of nCrisp, and a number senior industry representatives. 

They will address a number of high-priority issues where research will play a critical role in the impact construction solutions will have on society and make industry modernisation more efficient and desirable. 

A support group will fulfil this research agenda and consist of industry, industry research organisations and universities. 

Constructing Excellence in the Built Environment will play a major role in the management of the NTP and facilitate the adoption of the research results by the industry.