Local and regional partnerships are invited to bid for support of up to £20 million each in a new competition to support cutting-edge research.
Research funding body UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is inviting a broad range of local and regional partnerships to bid for government funding to support research and innovation projects in their area through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund.
The competition will back partnerships that can turn existing research breakthroughs into practical solutions that create jobs and improve lives.
The fund is designed to help regions across the UK build on their existing strengths, including developing medical technology, creating cleaner transport solutions, or innovations that spawn entirely new industries.
Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:
“This fund is our Plan for Change in action. It empowers local leaders, researchers, and businesses with skin in the game to deliver transformational research that creates jobs and improves lives in their area.
“Ten regions already have our support and will be able to deliver game-changing innovations to benefit their communities.
“Now we’re extending this opportunity to the rest of the country, and I encourage partnerships everywhere to come forward, and show how they can unlock their local expertise to create tomorrow’s innovations.”
Ten regions across the UK have already received backing through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund. These include Cardiff Capital Region as well as established innovation hubs in England such as Greater Manchester, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire, alongside Glasgow City Region in Scotland and an innovation corridor linking Belfast and Derry-Londonderry in Northern Ireland.
Each of these areas has been earmarked for at least £30 million to invest in their regional innovation strengths, from advanced manufacturing and life sciences to digital technologies and clean energy.
This funding forms part of an £86 billion R&D settlement until 2030 and represents a key pillar of the UK Government’s modern Industrial Strategy.
