Opportunities
21 Jun 2023

UKRI and DSIT launch moonshot initiative to identify bold, ambitious, and transformative priorities for the UK

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) are seeking ideas to help solve the big challenges that we are facing today. This is not a bidding process for funding or delivery responsibility, but the opportunity to develop diverse and innovative teams in the UK to be truly disruptive and ground-breaking across science and innovation.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) are seeking ideas to help solve the big challenges facing the UK today. The plan is to identify future innovation investment opportunities which with public funding can be addressed here in the UK.

Based off the ambitious moonshot programme that took place in the United States in the 1960's and 1970's  to send a human to the Moon and to return them home safely within a decade, the term moonshot seeks to envision ambitious and inspiring activity that will help UKRI and DSIT understand the big research and innovation opportunities today.

Bringing together diverse teams from across research, industry and small and large business to work together to develop ideas to:

  • help UK Government design the most promising opportunities to transform tomorrow together
  • help UK GOvernment identify bold and ambitious ideas for pioneering moonshots

The first stage of this process is for community members to submit your idea for a moonshot.

Moonshots should be submitted before 10 July 2023.

If you have any questions regarding the process, you can refer to the Further Information page and the Moonshot framework. Furthermore there is the ability to contact the relavant team via email at [email protected].    

The project is most interested in ideas related to the four broad strategic priorities of Pioneer Innovation, part of UK government’s contingency plan to Horizon Europe. These are:

  • health innovations (human, animal and plant) 
  • green industrial growth
  • resilient UK 
  • transformative technologies.

However, the project says it is particularly interested in proposals with a high level of creativity and adventure that take research and innovation beyond current frontiers to create transformative value for society

Laura Foster

Laura Foster

Associate Director - Technology and Innovation, techUK

Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.

Laura advocates for better emerging technology policy in the UK, including quantum, future of compute technologies, semiconductors, digital ID and more. Working alongside techUK members and UK Government she champions long-term, cohesive, and sustainable investment that will ensure the UK can commercialise future science and technology research. Laura leads a high-performing team at techUK, as well as publishing several reports on these topics herself, and being a regular speaker at events.

Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer exploring adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the team at London Tech Week.

Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University and is a Cambridge Policy Fellow. Outside of work she loves reading, writing and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.

Email:
[email protected]
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster

Read lessmore

Rory Daniels

Rory Daniels

Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation, techUK

Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.

During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.

Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.

Today, Rory leads techUK's Emerging Technology and Innovation activity, working with many of the UK's most innovative tech companies to convene key stakeholders, work through key challenges and opportunities for industry, showcase best practice, and shape Government's thinking around future technologies, sectors and industries.

Focus areas include Robotics, Immersive, Web3, Metaverse, Photonics, Space, Gaming, Creative, Innovation policy, university spin-outs, and Futures & Horizon Scanning.

Email:
[email protected]
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/

Read lessmore

Ella Shuter

Ella Shuter

Junior Programme Manager, Emerging Technologies, techUK

Ella joined techUK in July 2025 as Junior Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies.

In her role, Ella supports the design and delivery of four to six-month sprint campaigns. These identify emerging technologies of interest to members and Government, share industry best practice, champion relevant sectors and industries across the UK, and work through key challenges and opportunities to drive the development, application and commercialisation of these technologies.

Before joining techUK, Ella completed an internship at Digital Catapult, supporting across public affairs, policy and the organisation's programmes. She also has experience working in an MP's Parliamentary and Constituency Office.

Ella holds a BSc in Politics and International Relations from the University of Bristol.

Email:
[email protected]
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-shuter-264158244/

Read lessmore

Elis Thomas

Elis Thomas

Programme Manager, Tech and Innovation, techUK

Elis joined techUK in December 2023 as a Programme Manager for Tech and Innovation, focusing on Semiconductors and Digital ID.

He previously worked at an advocacy group for tech startups, with a regional focus on Wales. This involved policy research on innovation, skills and access to finance.

Elis has a Degree in History, and a Masters in Politics and International Relations from the University of Winchester, with a focus on the digitalisation and gamification of armed conflicts.

Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.techuk.org/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elis-thomas-49a1aa1a1/

Read lessmore

 

Related topics

Innovation
Return to listing