Local partnerships across the UK can now apply for up to £20 million in new government funding aimed at accelerating regional science and technology growth.
The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, managed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has opened its latest round of bids. The initiative supports collaborations between local authorities, universities, and businesses to turn cutting-edge research into real-world innovations that create jobs and improve everyday life.
Each successful region could receive as much as £20 million to expand on existing research strengths. Projects might include developing medical technologies that help doctors detect diseases more quickly, advancing clean transport systems, or driving discoveries that could form the basis of entirely new industries.
So far, ten areas across the UK have already benefited from the programme, with each receiving at least £30 million to invest in local innovation sectors. These include Greater Manchester, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire in England, as well as the Glasgow city region, the Cardiff region, and the Belfast–Derry-Londonderry innovation corridor. Investment in these areas supports fields such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, digital technology, and clean energy.
Tech Secretary Liz Kendall described the initiative as part of the government’s “Plan for Change,” designed to empower communities to shape their own innovation strategies. “We’re giving local leaders, researchers, and businesses the tools they need to deliver transformational research that creates jobs and improves lives,” she said. “Now we’re extending this opportunity to the rest of the country and encouraging partnerships everywhere to showcase their regional expertise.”
Local leaders, working with universities and businesses, are considered best placed to identify areas with strong potential for innovation. UKRI is encouraging consortiums of different partners to apply, ensuring that opportunities for scientific and technological growth reach all parts of the UK.
This latest announcement follows UKRI’s commitment of £9 million last month to support 48 projects developing spinout companies that turn research into commercial ventures.
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