Local areas across the UK can now bid for support of up to £20m in government funding to grow existing regional science and tech expertise.
Funding body UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is inviting local and regional partnerships to bid for the government funding to support research and innovation projects in their area through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund.
With up to £20m available per region, partnerships will be chosen that can turn existing research breakthroughs into practical solutions that create jobs and improve people’s lives.
The fund is designed to help regions across the UK build on their existing strengths like developing technology that helps doctors diagnose diseases faster, creating cleaner transport solutions, or discovering innovations that spawn entirely new industries.
Ten regions across the UK have already received backing through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund. These include established innovation hubs in England such as Greater Manchester, West Midlands and West Yorkshire, the Glasgow city region in Scotland, the Cardiff region in Wales, and an innovation corridor linking Belfast and Derry-Londonderry in Northern Ireland.
Each of these areas has been designated at least £30m to invest in their regional innovation strengths, including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, digital technologies and clean energy.
“This fund is our Plan for Change in action” said Tech Secretary Liz Kendall. “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.
“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.”
Local leaders, working alongside universities and businesses, have been noted as best placed to identify these regional opportunities. Consortiums of various forms are encouraged to apply to ensure all regions across the UK are supported to develop new innovations and drive regional growth.
Last month, the UKRI announced £9m in funding for 48 projects turning research into spinout companies.