'The Difference' Campaign is the name of the most ambitious fundraising campaign ever undertaken by UEA. We aim to help find solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing the planet, ranging from manmade climate change to finding new and better treatments for prostate cancer. 'Difference' reflects on the University motto - 'Do Different'

'The Difference' campaign aims to raise funds areas across four key themes where UEA is ideally placed to contribute:

• Health
• Climate
• Opportunity
• Creativity

The money will help provide the answers to some of the world's greatest challenges, strengthen the institution and create opportunities for future generations of UEA students.

These four themes were chosen after widespread consultation including hundreds of conversations with alumni, staff and donors.

We looked at our research areas and considered where our strengths lay and where UEA could make a real difference to national and worldwide issues. There was a clear consensus that this campaign should be ambitious and set the foundation for philanthropy playing an elevated role in the University's future.

'We intend to raise £50million, making this the most ambitious campaign in our history. We have already successfully raised nearly £20 million.

Our intention is to raise £50 million for the following thematic areas:

• Climate £10M
• Creativity £15M
• Health £15M
• Opportunity £10M

This is an ambitious campaign and £50 million is a large sum of money. The issues are substantial, complex and compelling, and we can't afford anything less than a comprehensive and immediate response.

To date we have already successfully raised nearly £20 million, which is 40 percent of the total campaign goal.

Like every university embarking on a major fundraising effort, UEA has been securing gifts in advance of the campaign's public launch. With £20 million already raised and with next year marking our 50th Anniversary, 2013 is the right time to launch. This campaign is raising money for the University's strategic priorities, not to compensate for government cuts. In many areas, we plan to fund novel and different approaches, which might be seen by some as risky and are a challenge to fund as a result.

A wide spectrum of supporters: alumni, friends, corporations, UK and international trusts and foundations, staff and parents. The breadth of the four themes, we hope, will appeal to many alumni and friends.

Like most universities, UEA started raising funds in a 'silent phase' of the campaign, which began in 2009. The public launch will take place on the 50th Anniversary in September 2013. The campaign will close in 2016.

Simply contact the UEA Development Office

Learn more about the campaign by visiting its website. Tell your friends about the campaign. Volunteer for campaign events. Make a gift. If you have a question or comment, send an email to supportuea@uea.ac.uk