Local areas can now bid for up to £20 million each to grow their regional science and technology strengths, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
Local leaders across the UK are being invited to apply for up to £20 million in government funding to help turn cutting-edge research into real-world innovations that create jobs, grow regional economies, and improve people’s lives.
The new Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), aims to support partnerships between local authorities, universities, and businesses. These collaborations will build on existing regional expertise—whether it’s developing faster medical diagnostics, pioneering clean transport technologies, or sparking entirely new industries.
Empowering regions to lead 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.
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”.
Backing local partnerships
The fund builds on the success of the first ten regions already benefiting from government investment, including:
- Greater Manchester, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire in England
- Glasgow City Region in Scotland
- Cardiff Capital Region in Wales
- Belfast–Derry-Londonderry Innovation Corridor in Northern Ireland
Each of these areas has been allocated at least £30 million to invest in local innovation strengths such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, digital technology, and clean energy.
Building on success
This new competition follows the achievements of the Innovation Accelerators programme, which has already attracted over £140 million in private investment and created hundreds of jobs. For example:
- Teams in Greater Manchester are developing tools to detect heart and lung diseases more quickly and affordably.
- Researchers in Glasgow are pioneering new ways to spot early signs of colon cancer, helping to save lives.
These successes show the power of collaboration between researchers, businesses, and local authorities to tackle major national challenges while boosting local prosperity.
A record investment in the UK’s future
The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund is part of the government’s record £86 billion R&D investment through to 2030—one of the largest in UK history.
By supporting regions ready to build on their unique strengths, the government aims to make sure every part of the country benefits from high-growth industries and world-leading innovation.