Physics of Life Network phase 3 (PoLNet3)

PoLNET3 was funded by the UKRI Physics of Life Strategic Priority Fund, led by EPSRC, BBSRC and MRC from 2019-2024. The main objective of PolNet3 was to support and catalyse the growth of an active and International leading interdisciplinary Physics of Life community in the UK, linking the discipline and community of physics to biology and medicine, and to work with the relevant research funders in developing its research case.

Since 2020, PoLNET3 (UKRI) and Physics of Medicine (Rosetrees) funding have delivered:

• 12 Physics of Life workshops
• 7 Rosetrees Physics of Medicine workshops
• The UK’s first international Biological Physics conference: 'Physics of Life, Harrogate 2023'
• 1 ECR bootcamp
• 36 Student Summer Bursaries
• 3 Pump priming projects
• 2 graduate schools

What happened after PoLNET3 funding ended?
In March 2024, we received 1 year additional, one off funding from UKRI (EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC) and Wellcome to specifically deliver:

• A Physics of Life Roadmap 
• A Physics of Life PoL PDRA call

Details about these initiatives can be found on the above hyperlinks.
This phase brought changes to our traditionally funded activities, but our commitment to the community remained steadfast, and during this time we applied for PoLNET4 funding, which was successful. 

We also collaborated once again with the Biological Physics Group of the IOP, the British Biophysical Society (BBS), the Physics of Living Systems network, and Physics Meets Biology to deliver 'Physics of Life, Harrogate 2025'. Furthermore, we were successful with our EDI award and a short grant award to deliver our very latest Physics of Life Summer School.