IP/C/R/TTI/GBR/4  
 
4 October 2023  
(23-6639) Page: 1/14 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects of  
Intellectual Property Rights  Original: English  
 
 
REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2  
OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT  
UNITED KINGDOM  
The following communication, dated 29 September 2023 , from the delegation of the United Kingdom , 
is being  circulated pursuant to paragraph 1 of the Decision on Implementation of Article 66.2 of the 
TRIPS Agreement ( document IP/C/28 ). 
 
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INTRODUCTION  
Report compiled from a range of technology transfer projects operated or supported from across 
United Kingdom Government.  
 
 
  
  IP/C/R/TTI/GBR/4  
 
- 2 - ANNEX1 
Name of programme or project  Medical Research Council Global Health Research Portfolio  
Objective or purpose  To sustain a substantial portfolio of MRC research awards (grants) aiming to improve Global Health through 
collaborative partnerships of the world 's best researchers and contribute to overseas development assistance.   
Research project s within the Global Health Portfolio focus on improving the research evidence to promote the 
health and welfare of populations in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). The portfolio currently 
comprises just over 450 active research projects of which aro und a third specifically relate to health research 
in Least Developed Countries (LDCs).  
Entity making the incentive available  UK Research Organisations eligible to receive UKRI research funding  
Eligible enterprises or institutions in developed 
country Member  Research Organisations in LDCs eligible to receive UKRI research funding  
Beneficiary Member(s)  Bangladesh; Burkina Faso; Cambodia; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Guinea -Bissau; Lao People 's 
Democratic Republic; Lesotho; Madagascar; Malaw i; Mali; Mozambique; Myanmar; Nepal; Senegal; Sierra 
Leone; Tanzania; Uganda; Yemen; Zambia  
Beneficiary Observer(s)   
Beneficiary enterprises or institutions  Technology transfer is through joint participation (UK and LDC) in research projects involving ac ademic 
researchers, technical staff, research or healthcare and delivery organisations, stakeholders, study 
participants and policy makers (e.g. Ministries of Health). Research funding also supports capacity 
strengthening in terms of provision of laborator y equipment, training and career development.  
Nature of incentive measure  Joint research projects - shared knowledge, methodological approaches, shared tools, skills, shared 
equipment, shared access to data and software, capacity strengthening and trainin g. 
Financial implications   
Field of technology   
Category of technology  Health -related technology  
Output or impact  Research projects within the MRC Global Health Portfolio will develop new methodologies and approaches and 
new research knowledge around pathogen identification and surveillance, diagnostics and treatment 
developments, behavioural interventions, evidence to support health systems management and delivery, 
predictive models of disease transmission, improved prevention technologies, acr oss the spectrum of priority 
infectious and non -communicable diseases in LDCs. Research outputs are reported to MRC through the 
Research  Fish system and will include research publications, collaborations, staff secondments, dissemination 
of ideas, scientif ic meetings, workshops, policy influence, research tools and methods, databases, software, 
IP, product development and spin -outs. The MRC Global Health Portfolio will provide robust and accessible 
evidence to improve human health and welfare across a spect rum of disease priorities in LDCs.  
 
1 In English and French only.   
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- 3 - Name of programme or project  Medical Research Council Global Health Research Portfolio  
Status of the programme or project  Current or in progress  
Duration and timing   
Website for further information  https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/research/units/mrc -gambia  
Contact point for further information  International@ukri.org  
  
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- 4 - Name of programme or project  GCRF Translation Awards (NERC/BBSRC) Sustainable Enhancement of Agriculture and Aquaculture 
Production  
Objective or purpose  This programme aims to support translational projects that deliver tangible outputs to in -country users in the 
form of more sustainable or enhanced agriculture/aquaculture production systems. Projects must be developed 
and executed in partnership with non -academic collaborators/user organisations based in ODA countries.  
Entity making the incentive available  UKRI via BBSRC  and NERC  
Eligible enterpris es or institutions in 
developed country Member  The programme is funded by the BEIS managed Global Challenges Research Fund and other -ODA funding.  
Beneficiary Member(s)  Angola; Benin; Central African Republic; Democratic Republic of the Congo; The Gambia; Lesotho; Malawi; 
Mali; Mozambique; Rwanda; Tanzania; Togo; Uganda; Zambia  
Beneficiary Observer(s)   
Beneficiary enterprises or institutions  Academics based at UK research organisations are the primary award holders. All projects are developed 
collaboratively with in -country partners (non -academic organisations including third sector, private sector or 
public sector organisations e.g. businesses, agricultural cooperatives or other user organisations)  
Nature of incentive measure  Cash grant for consu mables and travel. Towards the end of these projects, route to application could involve 
licensing agreements with third parties, spin -out formation, formation of a social enterprise.   
Financial implications  GBP 3.2 million allocated  
Field of technology  Biotechnology and biological sciences, natural environment.  
Category of technology  Biotechnology and biodiversity; Environmentally friendly or sustainable technology; Food and agriculture  
Output or impact  This programme will support:  
- Development of technologies that improve effectiveness, resilience, and environmental impact of production 
systems.  
- Translation of fundamental and applied biosciences into application in LMIC countries.  
- Research and innovation capacity building in DAC -listed countries with strengthened international 
collaboration links for future work.  
- Improved access future funding (public or private) having developed technologies further.  
Status of the programme or project  Completed  
Duration and timing  22 months  
Website for further information  https://www.ukcdr.org.uk/funding -call/sustainable -enhancement -of-agriculture -and-aquacu lture-production -
translation -call/ 
Contact point for further information  International@ukri.org  
  
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- 5 - Name of programme or project  Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) projects funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences 
Research Council (EPSRC).  
Objective or purpose  To deliver funds allocated under the GCRF acr oss a range of challenges in the EPSRC space.  
Entity making the incentive available  Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) acting as part of UK Research and Innovation 
(UKRI).  
Eligible enterprises or institutions in 
developed country Member  UK universities and RCUK -eligible research organisations; non -UK higher educa tion institutions and other 
research organisations; not -for-profit and private sector organisations with appropriate research capacity.   
Beneficiary Member(s)  Cambodia; Liberia; Malawi; Nepal; Rwanda; Sierra Leone; Tanzania; Uganda  
Beneficiary Observer(s)   
Beneficiary enterprises or institutions  Various project partner including research organisations, NGOs, government functions, private enterprise in 
LDCs.   
Nature of incentive measure  Joint research projects with LDC partners and  projects including LDCs as study areas.   
Financial implications  19 grants with a total value of just under GBP 18 million across the full grant  
Field of technology  Knowledge transfer in the fields of: Engineering; water engineering; healthcare diagnostics; medical 
prosthetics and orthotics; renewable energy; energy systems and decentralised use of energy, modelling 
healthcare management approaches (e.g . tracking infectious disease), mathematical sciences, physical 
sciences.   
Categor y of technology  Health -related technology; Environmentally friendly or sustainable technology; Information and 
communications technology; Climate change mitigation technology  
Output or impact  The programme will deliver activities centered around increasin g knowledge and addressing specific challenges 
faced by LDCs through research and technology, as well as to develop mutually -beneficial multi -disciplinary 
partnerships between researchers in the UK and developing countries, with the benefit of capacity bui lding 
within LDCs.   
Status of the programme or project  Current or in progress  
Duration and timing  The projects under this programme range from 1 -4 years in duration with the latest finishing in September 
2023. Note that many have been extended due to the disruption from the global pandemic.  
Website for further information  www.ukri.org    
Contact point for further information  International@ukri.org  
  
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- 6 - Name of programme or project  GCRF AgriFood Africa including AgriTech Catalyst.  
Objective or purpose  This project aims to enhance the food security, nutrition and welfare of the poor through greater involvement 
of the private sector, both UK and African, in innovation for agriculture and food systems.  
Entity making the incentive available  Innovate UK th rough the Global Challenge Research Fund  
Eligible enterprises or institutions in 
developed country Member  Grants are provided by Innovate UK, funded by the Global Challenge Research Fund. Previous FCDO funding to 
the AgriTech Catalyst part of the programme was withdrawn in July 2021  
Beneficiary Member(s)  Angola; Benin; Central African Republic; The Gambia; Lesotho; Malawi; Mali; Mozambique; Rwanda; Tanzania; 
Togo; Uganda; Zambia  
Beneficiary Observer(s)   
Beneficiary enterprises or institutions  Research organisations and charities  
Nature of incentive measure  Grant  
Financial implications  GBP 20.8 million 
Field of technology  Agriculture and food.  
Category of technology  Biotechnology and biodiversity; Environmentally friendly or sustainable technology; Food and agriculture; 
Information and communications technology; Climate change mitigation technology  
Output or impact  Increased pace and scale of uptake of food security and food systems innovation by farmers in South Asia and 
Africa. Increased investment by the private sector in sustainable intensification and post -harvest innovation.  
Status of the programme or project  Current or in progress  
Duration and timing  2019-2024 
Website for further information  https://iuk.ktn -uk.org/programme/agrifood -africa -connect/  
Contact point for further information  International@ukri.org  
  
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- 7 - Name of programme or project  Energy Catalyst  
Objective or purpose  The Energy Catalyst 's mission is to accelerate the innovation needed to meet SDG 7 - 'Affordable and clean 
energy ' - by providing financial and advisory support to innovators we help create strategic partnerships, 
uncover insights, and develop business models to improve lives  in Africa and Asia and Indo -Pacific.  
Entity making the incentive available  Innovate UK through the Global Challenge Research Fund  
Eligible enterprises or institutions in 
developed country Member  Businesses, research organisations and others are provid ed by Innovate UK, as part of UK Research and 
Innovation  
Beneficiary Member(s)  Bangladesh; Benin; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Liberia; Malawi; Mozambique; Myanmar; Rwanda; 
Sierra Leone; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia  
Beneficiary Observer(s)   
Beneficiary enterprises or institutions  Research organisations  
Nature of incentive measure  Cash grant plus non -financial support in the form of travel and business incubation support.  
Financial implications  Total ODA Energy Catalyst budget 2015 – 2026, including non -grant and opex costs is as follows:  
GBP 61 million 
DFID – GBP 28.8 million 
GCRF – GBP 8 million 
ICF – GBP 20 million BEIS Ayrton via UKRI  
Field of technology  Energy access  
Category of technology  Environmentally friendly or sustainable technology  
Output or impact  Accelerate access to affordable, clean energy services for poor households and enterprises in Sub -Saharan 
Africa or South Asia by supporting the development, testing and/or scale up of innovative technologies and 
business models.  
Status of the programme or project  Current or in progress  
Duration and timing  The programmes ODA element began in 2015 and is currently due to run until 2026 with individual projects 
which vary from 6 months to over 3 years.  
Website for f urther information  https://energycatalyst.ukri.org/  
Contact point for further information   
  
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- 8 - Name of programme or project  UK contribution to the WMO (World Meteorological Organisation) Voluntary Cooperation 
Programme (VCP), managed by the Met Office.  
Objective or purpose  To work in partnership with the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of developing 
countries, supporting delivery of effective weather and climate services. This includes provision of equipment, 
training and technology transfer . Note – many, but not all, countries worked with are LDCs.  
Entity making the incentive available  The UK contribution to the WMO VCP is funded through the UK Public Weather Service (PWS) programme.  
Eligible enterprises or institutions in 
developed country Member  The beneficiaries are mainly the NMHSs of developing countries.  
Beneficiary Member(s)  Democratic Republic of the Congo; The Gambia; Malawi; Rwanda; Uganda; Zambia  
Beneficiary Observer(s)   
Beneficiary enterprises or institutions   
Nature of incentive measure  Developing country institutions where engagement will:  
• Improve protection of life and property overseas through the provision of sustainable public weather services 
(including local weather warning delivery).  
• Sustain, and optimally improve, levels of weather observation data and forecasts available globally.  
Financial implications  GBP 860,013  
Field of technology  • Observations: providing support to significant, remote, climate observations/measurements on small islands   
• Forecast Information/Delivery: including access to Met Office model information/data and training  
• Support for media communications (TV, web) and effective delivery of forecasts and weather warnings  
• Climate  Data Management: including support for software, and training, to aid the effective management of 
data, and provision of products to stakeholders (national, regional, global)  •  Scientific/management training to 
help build capacity  
• Emergency support esp ecially in terms of natural disasters  
Category of technology  Climate change mitigation technology  
Output or impact   
Status of the programme or project  Current or in progress  
Duration and timing   
Website for further information  https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about -us/what/working -with-other -organisations/international/development/vcp   
Contact point for further information  Karen McCourt, UK VCP Manager, Met Office ( karen.mccourt@metoffice.gov.uk ) 
  
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- 9 - Name of programme or project  Global Research Pa rtnership (GRP) programme  
Objective or purpose  This is a trilateral programme, jointly implemented with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the 
Government of India 's Department of Biotechnology (DBT). The objective is to address pressing global 
development challenges in food security and maternal and child health by blending the best of UK and Indian 
science with developing country experience from Asia and Africa. The programme provides an innovative way 
in which the UK -India cooperation is exten ded to new tripartite partnerships on science and research. The 
expected results are to: (i) deliver new institutional arrangements and research that provide new solutions to 
key development challenges, (ii) test new innovations/models across different env ironmental and cultural 
settings, and (iii) build the global evidence base for poverty reduction.  
Entity making the incentive available  Grants to research organisations in the UK, Asia and Africa to carry out trilateral research projects based on 
competitive bidding. Funds are provided from FCDO to UKRI [Medical Research Council - MRC] who in turn 
disburse funds to research organisations. The programme is co -funded by UKRI and DBT, with DBT paying for 
the Indian research organisations and FCDO and UKRI supporting developing country and UK research 
partners.  
Eligible enterprises or institutions in 
developed country Member  Each project includes at least one partner from the UK and one from a developing country in scope for the 
competition.  
Beneficia ry Member(s)  Bangladesh; Malawi; Nepal; Sierra Leone; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia  
Beneficiary Observer(s)   
Beneficiary enterprises or institutions  18 collaborative research projects have been supported across 14 countries in Asia and Africa including in LDC s 
such as Nepal, Malawi, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda; 11 projects have been delivered 
and 7 projects are currently under implementation  
Nature of incentive measure  Cash grants for research, trans -national collaborations and travel a s well as non -monetised benefits of 
research capacity strengthening, including skills transfer opportunities, through three -way collaborations 
between research organisations in the UK, India/Asia and Africa  
Financial implications  Total ODA budget committed from FCDO during 2014 – 2024: GBP 6,128,571. This is match funded by UKRI 
and DBT.  
Field of technology  Aquaculture for development, and women and children 's health. The aquaculture research element has been 
delivered and is now closed.  
Category of technology  Health -related technology; Food and agriculture; Other  
Output or impact   
Status of the programme or project  Current or in progress  
Duration and timing  February 2014 - March 2024  
Website for further information   
Contact point for further information  Nupur Barua, Head FCDO South Asia Research Hub Nupur.barua@fcdo.gov.uk  
  
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- 10 - Name of programme or project  Creating Hope in Conflict (CHIC)  
Objective or purpose  CHIC is a challenge fund for supporting humanitarian innovation in conflict. CHIC identifies and scales 
innovations that apply new insights, technologies and approaches to increase survival or improve the lives of 
the most vulnerable p eople and the hardest -to-reach in humanitarian crises caused by conflict.  
Entity making the incentive available  Grand Challenges Canada  
Eligible enterprises or institutions in 
developed country Member  Grants made to academic/research institutions, private sector, or NGOs.  
Beneficiary Member(s)  Afghanistan; Central African Republic; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Mali  
Beneficiary Observer(s)   
Beneficiary enterprises or institutions  Grants made to academic institutions, private sec tor, or NGOs.  
Nature of incentive measure  Seed grants (smaller grants for promising early -stage innovations) and 'Transition to Scale ' (TTS) projects 
(larger grants to more mature innovations, with proof of concept, assessed as being ready to scale) . The se 
are selected through open Request for Proposals (RFPs) for Seed innovations, and through a combination of 
calls and more targeted invitations for TTS.  
Financial implications  The total lifetime value of the fund now stands at around GBP 28 million. The UK contribution is GBP 9 million.  
Field of technology  Conflict -affected populations.  
Category of technology  Health -related technology; Environmentally friendly or sustainable technology; Food and agriculture; 
Information and communications technology  
Output or impact  Increased survival and improved lives among the most vulnerable populations affected by humanitarian crises 
caused by conflict through the implementation of humanitarian innovations.  
Status of the programme or project  Current or in progress  
Duration and timing  2019-2023 
Website for further information  https://humanitariangrandchallenge.org/  
Contact point for further information  Tarah Friend, tarah.friend@fcdo.gov.uk  
  
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- 11 - Name of programme or project  Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF)  
Objective or purpose  The HIF develops and tests innovations in the humanitarian system. It is an independent, grant -making 
programme open to the entire humanitarian community.  
Entity making the incentive available  Elrha 
Eligible enterprises or institutions in 
developed country Member  NGOs  
Beneficiary Member(s)  Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Central African Republic; Chad; Democratic Republic of the 
Congo; Guinea; Haiti; Liberia; Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Mozambique; Myanmar; Nepal; Niger; Rwanda; 
Senegal; Sierra Leone; Tanz ania 
Beneficiary Observer(s)   
Beneficiary enterprises or institutions  Grants made to academic institutions, private sector, or NGOs.  
Nature of incentive measure  Competitive grant -making process based on calls for proposals on specific topics. Larger gra nts for innovations 
with proof of concept.  
Financial implications  GBP 15 million  
Field of technology  Humanitarian -affected populations  
Category of technology  Other  
Output or impact  Improve outcomes for people affected by humanitarian crises by identifying, nurturing and sharing more 
effective and scalable solutions.  
Status of the programme or project  Current or in progress  
Duration and timing  2019-2023 
Website for further information  https:// www.elrha.org/programme/hif/  
Contact point for further information  Tarah Friend, tarah.friend@fcdo.gov.uk  
  
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- 12 - Name of programme or project  Climate Compatible Growth (CCG)  
Objective or purpose  To achieve conditions for infrastructure investment in developing countries that both supports economic growth 
and is low -carbon. CCG does this by providing tools and evidence that support inves tment decision -makers in 
countries in Africa and Asia to take an integrated and climate compatible approach to deployment of critical 
infrastructure capital. With a focus on energy and transport, the research addresses how the design of physical 
infrastruc ture, regulatory and market systems can promote decarbonisation and how different infrastructure 
systems interact and can evolve to secure low carbon futures.  
Entity making the incentive available  UK Government through FCDO.  
Eligible enterprises or insti tutions in 
developed country Member  Universities; National and International Research Groups and Organisations with research capability.  
Beneficiary Member(s)  Bangladesh; Lao People 's Democratic Republic; Zambia  
Beneficiary Observer(s)   
Beneficiary enterprises or institutions   
Nature of incentive measure  CCG national partnerships component supported by research grants through competitive calls for proposals.  
Financial implications  GBP 38 million  
Field of technology  Focus on systems and system inter -dependency across multiple other infrastructure sectors. Initially energy 
and transport.  
Category of technology  Environmentally friendly or sustainable technology; Climate change mitigation technology; Other  
Output or impact  Lenders, investors and governments identify appropriate low -carbon development pathways, and access the 
best policy, regulatory, market model and risk mitigation options to implement them.  
Status of the programme or project  Current or in progress  
Duratio n and timing  October 2020 to March 2025  
Website for further information  https://climatecompatiblegrowth.com/  
Contact point for further information  Lily Ryan -Collins, FC DO. 
  
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- 13 - Name of programme or project  AT2030, Life Changing Assistive Technology for All.  
Objective or purpose  AT2030 tests 'what works ' to improve access to life -changing Assistive Technology (AT) for all. The AT2030 
consortium brings together partners who have not traditionally focused on AT with experts, innovators and AT 
users to experiment with new ideas and thinking. Innovations are being trialled across three domains: 
community -led, systems -focused and market -driven interventions, divided into programme clusters: Data & 
Evidence, Innovation, Country Implementation and Capacity & Participation.  
Entity making the incentive available  Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)  
Eligible enterprises or institutions in 
developed country Member  Grants to United Kingdom and international partner institutions and organisations working on research and 
innovation for assistive technolog y, and assistive technology innovators. Provided by FCDO through grant 
manager and administrator GDI Hub CIC.  
Beneficiary Member(s)  Bangladesh; The Gambia; Liberia; Malawi; Rwanda; Sierra Leone; Uganda; Zambia  
Beneficiary Observer(s)   
Beneficiary enterprises or institutions  The programme is mainly targeted at LMICS in Africa and South Asia including several LDCs. Every project 
includes at least one programme partner one from a developing country, including within the LDCs in which we 
work. UK research and innovation organisations partner with locally based research and innovation 
organisations.  
Nature of incentive measure  AT2030 provides AT innovators with grant funding, and tailored venture building support including technical 
assistan ce on product development from global experts. Additionally, AT2030 provides access to learning 
materials, and mentorship opportunities, facilitating the brokering and matchmaking of partners, investors, 
and experts, providing access to a growing global ne twork of disability pioneers and innovators.  
Financial implications  AT Impact Fund: GBP 3.3 million Country Capacity Assessments: GBP 1.2 million Remaining programme which 
facilitates technology transfer: GBP 1.7 million 
Field of technology  Fields or sectors that AT2030 's activities fall within: assistive technology, healthcare, global coordination, 
research, evidence and impact, AT innovation, ma rket shaping, education, global standards, community work.  
Category of technology  Health -related technology; Environmentally friendly or sustainable technology; Information and 
communications technology; Other  
Output or impact  As of the end of March 2021, AT2030 had achieved the following outcomes and impact. To note, while a 
proportion of AT2030 (around 33%) operates in or for LDCs, the statistics are not disaggregated by LDCs only 
(unless otherwise noted). Many of the global public goods produced by  the programme will however be as 
relevant for LDCs as they are for LMICs. - 12 million people reached directly and indirectly with AT or AT 
services or programmes. - 7 new models to improve access to AT have been tested and have begun to scale 
with a focu s on innovative technologies, AT ventures, innovative service delivery, models and global capacity 
support. These are global public goods and particularly relevant to LDCs. - 32 AT tools developed and lessons 
shared to support LDC countries and global agen cies working in LDCs improve access to AT. These are global 
public goods and available to all but particularly relevant for LDCs and LMICs. - 55 partnerships with 
organisations have been established and supported to improve access to AT and its related ser vices. - AT 
Impact Fund (in -country pilot activities are underway in 3 LDCs: Sierra Leone, Togo, and Uganda. These will 
stimulate demand, improve the supply of AT and create a more enabling and sustainable market environment.   
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- 14 - Name of programme or project  AT2030, Life Changing Assistive Technology for All.  
Status of the programme or pr oject  Current or in progress  
Duration and timing  October 2018 – September 2024.  
Website for further information  https://www.at2030.org/  
https://atimpactfund.com/  
https://www.disabilityinnovation.com/who -we-are/where -we-work 
Contact point for further information  Joel Burman, Director of Operations, Global Disability Innovation Hub, Tel: 0203 108 6577 j.burman@ucl.ac.uk    
 
 
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