Local leaders in every UK nation are to be backed by at least 拢30m each to unlock potentially transformative research and local innovations that will improve lives, UK Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle (pictured) has announced.
The Glasgow City Region, Cardiff Capital Region, and Belfast/Derry-Londonderry are the latest parts of the UK to be supported by the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund of up to 拢500m, committed ahead of last month鈥檚 Spending Review.
It builds on seven regions of England – Greater Manchester, West Midlands, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region, North East and Greater London – being backed as part of the scheme.
High potential areas in places that have not been allocated funding will also be able to bid into a competition, with UK Research and Innovation publishing guidance on this soon.
The funding follows a successful trial scheme into how national innovation experts can best collaborate with regional partnerships of local leaders, research organisations and industry to make the most of R&D as a solution to some of the country鈥檚 biggest challenges.
The Innovation Accelerators programme has brought in more than 拢140m of private investment and created hundreds of jobs in cities across the UK, says the government, and is already driving innovation in healthcare, transport and green housebuilding.
鈥淎ll across the UK there are incredible projects and fantastic innovation taking place. We know that these are critical for the UK鈥檚 success,鈥� said Kyle.
鈥淭his fund now gives local leaders in every nation of the UK the chance to proudly capitalise on their city or region鈥檚 expertise, from AI to life sciences, medicines to engineering, and beyond, to make a difference to lives across the country.
鈥淲ith backing for more regions to come we can unlock the new jobs and business opportunities that are central to boosting the economic growth at the heart of our Plan for Change.鈥�
Partnerships of local and city region authorities, businesses and research organisations will now work with UKRI to invest the funding into regional and national priorities from early next year and could back a range of sectors, from life sciences to green energy solutions, AI to medical tech and beyond.
The government says it gives places the opportunity to choose which existing regional strengths they will prioritise. It could mean Cardiff Capital Region building on its electric vehicle expertise for a greener planet, Belfast and Derry-Londonderry spurring on Northern Ireland鈥檚 strong cybersecurity sector to keep us safe or Glasgow building on its history of medical discoveries through new technology to keep us healthy.
Vivienne Stern MBE, chief executive of Universities UK, said: 鈥淭he Local Innovation Partnerships Fund will give regions the opportunity to set their own priorities, allowing them to amplify their strengths, boost innovation and growth.聽
鈥淐ollaboration is at the core of this fund, which will enable local partners, businesses, key growth sectors and universities to work closely together to achieve the common goal of transformative change in their region for local people.聽
鈥淭he success of similar funds like the Strength in Places Fund and the Innovation Accelerator pilot scheme, highlights the important role universities can play in key partnerships and bolstering regional innovation ecosystems.聽
鈥淭his funding is more important now than ever as the government seeks to deliver its industrial strategy (IS8) where collaboration between key growth sectors, local authorities and universities could be the key to success.
鈥淯niversities are driving regional growth through partnerships with industry, including initiatives like the Advanced Diagnostics Accelerator in Manchester, which is expanding access to early diagnosis, and Space Park Leicester, which is supporting the growth of cutting-edge sectors. This fund will help more regions build on their strengths.鈥�
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