Local authorities, universities, and businesses across the UK are being encouraged to join forces and bid for up to £20 million each in new government funding, designed to stimulate regional innovation and strengthen the UK’s position as a global science and technology powerhouse.
Announced on 6 October, the funding competition, administered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, invites bids from regional partnerships with the potential to turn research breakthroughs into real-world solutions. The initiative forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, a strategy that aims to drive economic growth, create high-skilled jobs, and ensure that every part of the UK benefits from the nation’s record £86 billion R&D investment settlement.
Investing in local expertise to deliver national impact
The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund is designed to unlock the power of local science, technology, and innovation ecosystems. By backing regional expertise, the government aims to accelerate practical applications of research, whether in digital construction, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, clean energy, or smart mobility.
According to Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, this funding demonstrates how the government’s Plan for Change is empowering local decision-makers to take charge of their innovation futures: “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.”
The initiative recognises that local leaders are best positioned to understand the strengths and opportunities within their regions. By collaborating with research institutions and private sector partners, they can identify where investment will generate the greatest impact,creating regional clusters of innovation that strengthen the UK’s overall R&D ecosystem.
Building on a proven model for regional growth
This new round of funding builds on the success of ten existing Local Innovation Partnerships across the UK, which have already received at least £30 million each to support research and development in priority sectors.
These include:
- Greater Manchester, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire – focusing on advanced manufacturing, digital health, and sustainable transport.
- Glasgow City Region – leading in medical diagnostics and life sciences.
- Cardiff Capital Region – driving innovation in clean energy and sustainable construction.
- Belfast–Derry/Londonderry corridor – pioneering digital and smart technologies to boost regional productivity.
The programme builds on the achievements of the Innovation Accelerators initiative, which has already attracted over £140 million in private investment and created hundreds of skilled jobs nationwide. Projects supported through the scheme include new medical imaging technologies in Greater Manchester to detect heart and lung diseases earlier, and early cancer detection research in Glasgow, demonstrating the life-changing impact of locally led R&D.
Transforming digital construction and built environment innovation
For the digital construction sector, this funding competition presents a significant opportunity. Local partnerships could leverage support to scale up research in areas such as:
- Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital twins for smarter infrastructure planning.
- AI and data-driven construction analytics to improve productivity and sustainability.
- Advanced materials and offsite manufacturing for low-carbon, high-efficiency building methods.
- Smart city and connected infrastructure technologies that integrate energy, transport, and construction systems.
By connecting construction firms, tech startups, and universities, regional leaders can use this funding to create innovation clusters that bridge the gap between digital research and practical application, turning prototypes into deployable solutions that modernise the UK’s built environment.
The integration of digital technology in construction is central to achieving the government’s net-zero targets and levelling up the country’s regional economies. As such, the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund is likely to become a key catalyst for digital transformation across the construction industry.
Driving long-term R&D and economic growth
This competition is part of the UK’s largest ever investment in R&D, £86 billion through to 2030, aimed at solidifying the UK’s position as a global leader in science, technology, and innovation.
By supporting projects that reflect local priorities and strengths, the government hopes to generate sustained economic growth, create thousands of high-value jobs, and improve the quality of life for communities across the UK.
With a focus on collaboration, commercialisation, and community impact, the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund will help ensure that the UK’s innovation economy is both globally competitive and locally inclusive.
How to Apply
Consortia interested in bidding for the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund are encouraged to form partnerships between:
- Local authorities and combined authorities
- Universities and research institutions
- Industry and business representatives
Applications should clearly demonstrate how proposed projects will leverage existing regional strengths, generate long-term economic benefits, and deliver measurable improvements to local communities.
The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund represents a landmark opportunity for regions across the UK to scale up their research and innovation capabilities. By enabling local collaboration between government, academia, and industry, it promises to drive the next wave of British innovation, from digital construction and green energy to healthtech and advanced manufacturing.
As the UK moves forward with its Plan for Change, this £20 million funding opportunity could unlock the potential of local expertise, foster inclusive growth, and build a stronger, more resilient innovation economy for generations to come.
Read next: Innovation, collaboration, and future built environment – Build in Digital
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