UK Sport is inviting students to apply for its New Researchers Award — one aspect of the organisation’s Ideas 4 Innovation programme.

The scholarship aims to encourage those studying engineering, science, medicine, technology or the arts to carry out more in-depth research of innovative concepts that could have a clear performance impact on Olympic or Paralympic sports.

Innovation coordinator Alison Neall said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for students to extend their research beyond their final year and apply their knowledge to help us achieve British sporting success. Successful applicants would also have access to our extensive network of contacts in world class research and innovation.”

“The idea should be a novel concept, based on sound research and could be related to any one of our four work streams — athlete equipment and accessories, coaching technologies, training science or performance medicine.”

In the pilot year, a total of 21 projects were submitted by eight of the 19 UK universities that endorsed the award. Each finalist was awarded a £500 prize and invited to present their projects to an expert panel at the organisation’s London headquarters.

Winner Chris West from Brunel University was granted £25,000 to further develop a device that enhanced the performance of athletes with spinal cord injuries.

West said: “Whilst completing my MSc I was lucky enough to work with Paralympic athletes. I soon realised that research into training methods, equipment and the performance of Paraplympic athletes was very sparse compared to the able-bodied athletic population.

“The New Researchers Award has provided me with the opportunity to continue my research, not only from a funding point of view but also by giving me access to world class facilities and athletes.”