Collaborative research between Monash University and its UK partner, the University of Warwick, has been supported with a half million pound investment by the British Government.

The unique alliance between the universities, established in early 2012, will lead to unprecedented collaboration and international opportunities for both researchers and students.

Warwick University was awarded the grant by the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) under its Building Global Engagements program.

The award will help build strong collaborative partnerships between the Warwick and Monash academic communities in areas of research strength and strategic priority for both universities.

Six core themes have been identified for initial development - sustainable chemistry, solar energy, innovative manufacturing, data management and high performance computing, materials and analytical science, and polymer science.

Warwick's Vice-Chancellor Professor Nigel Thrift said the EPSRC grant would support activities integral to the wider range of investments planned under the broader Warwick and Monash strategic alliance.

"The EPSRC funding will help us take this alliance to the next level, establishing even more extensive research links both in terms of breadth and depth, than would otherwise be possible," Professor Thrift said.

Vice-Chancellor of Monash, Professor Ed Byrne said the grant was an endorsement of the possibilities of the alliance.

"One of the factors in choosing to partner with Warwick was the complementary nature of our research aspirations and programs," Professor Byrne said.

"By combining the expertise of academics at both universities we will progress research in critical areas far beyond what each institution could achieve alone."

The EPSRC funding will assist both universities to identify young research stars to provide a stream of talented individuals whose careers will benefit from international experience at the partner institution.

The partners will also explore how to further internationalise doctoral training programs, and support academic communities at both universities to access new networks and connect to other organisations in the UK, Australia and elsewhere.