The current N8 strategy and business plan aims to:
- promote innovation by exploiting the world-class research capabilities of the universities;
- encourage multidisciplinary collaborations by pooling complementary capabilities;
- maximise the use of resources and facilities, leading to greater efficiencies;
- focus on working together for mutual benefit;
- provide more effective support for business.
It also restates N8's priorities to assist businesses by providing access to a vast wealth of research capability, generating new engagement with companies, promoting knowledge transfer and supporting successful exploitation of new ideas.
Professor Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield University and chair of the N8 Board, said: "The recession and increasing economic pressures on resources mean that collaborative working is now more relevant than ever. N8 allows our universities to focus our research capabilities more effectively, which will be of benefit to all our universities and also to businesses during this vital economic recovery phase".