The UK Rail Research & Innovation Network was launched on February 20, bringing together railway industry bodies and eight universities. Through a £92M funding package, these partners are to work together to establish four 'world class' centres of excellence focused on rolling stock, infrastructure, digital systems and testing. Of the four centres, three are academic institutions. The Centre of Excellence in Digital Systems is led by the University of Birmingham; the Centre for Infrastructure is led by the University of Southampton, working in partnership with Nottingham, Loughborough, Sheffield and Heriot-Watt universities; and the rolling stock Centre is co-ordinated by the University of Huddersfield, with support from Loughborough and Newcastle universities. In addition, a Centre of Excellence in Testing is being led by Network Rail through its Rail Innovation & Development Centres in partnership with Transport for London and Quinton Rail Technology Centre at Long Marston.
Railway Gazette International, Apr. 2018. p.51.