Local areas across the UK are being allowed to bid for up to £20 million each in a major new government initiative aimed at boosting innovation, creating jobs, and turning research into real-world impact
The new competition, part of the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, invites regions to build on their strengths in science and technology with targeted support from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
This latest funding opportunity is part of the government’s £86 billion research and development (R&D) investment plan running to 2030. The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund initiative is designed to support local leaders in driving forward transformational projects in partnership with universities, businesses, and research institutions.
Supporting regions to grow their strength
The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund targets areas with existing innovation strengths, such as life sciences, clean energy, digital technology, or advanced manufacturing. It aims to convert research breakthroughs into practical solutions that improve lives and grow local economies.
Local authorities and regional partnerships are encouraged to form consortia and submit bids, showing how their projects can deliver tangible outcomes in both economic and social terms.
By focusing on regional strengths, the initiative supports the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to drive economic growth and tackle pressing national challenges through locally led innovation.
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.”
Building on previous success
The new competition follows the success of the Local Innovation Partnerships pilot scheme, which has already awarded at least £30 million each to ten regions across the UK. These include innovation hubs such as Greater Manchester, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, the Glasgow City Region, and the Cardiff Capital Region. Northern Ireland has also benefitted, with funding supporting a growing innovation corridor between Belfast and Derry-Londonderry.
These pilot projects have already made a considerable impact. In Greater Manchester, teams have developed new tools to detect heart and lung conditions more efficiently. At the same time, researchers in Glasgow have created new techniques to identify early signs of colon cancer. These examples demonstrate the value of combining local expertise to develop practical solutions to health, environmental, and technological challenges.
Two-stage process
The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund is open to a wide range of partnerships across the country, and UKRI will manage the competition through a two-stage process. Initially, interested areas will be invited to submit expressions of interest, outlining their regional strengths and proposed projects.
Shortlisted applicants will then work with UKRI to develop detailed proposals. These will be assessed by an independent panel based on their potential economic impact, strength of collaboration, and alignment with national priorities such as health, net zero, and digital transformation.
UK’s innovation potential
The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund is part of a shift towards empowering local leaders who are best placed to identify the needs and opportunities within their communities. By providing regions with the tools and investment to build on their existing strengths, the government aims to create hundreds of new jobs and ensure that the benefits of scientific and technological progress are shared across the UK.
This new wave of investment builds on the success of previous programmes like the Innovation Accelerators, which have already attracted over £140 million in private investment and demonstrated the power of regionally driven innovation.
