This will not run as a typical UKRI funding opportunity.
Partnership and co-creation are at the heart of the Local Innovation Partnership Fund. It is open to collaborative proposals co-created between UKRI and locally led triple-helix partnerships/consortia of civic authorities, industry and research organisations.
The programme is designed to support places that have an identifiable innovation ecosystem, with high-potential innovation clusters aligned to national policy priorities.
Proposals must build on local innovation strengths and opportunities giving places a strong role in determining their priorities, with UKRI providing a national perspective, technical expertise and support.
Places will need to demonstrate their level of readiness, this will include demonstration of strong triple helix governance and decision making, clear plans for innovation-led growth, robust plans to support proposals with devolved funding and other levers, a clear plan for resourcing including operational/delivery capability.
Proposed activities must fit within the government’s wider definition of R&D activities. This excludes basic research. Activities must also be additional to existing local and national provision, not financially reliant on extensions to the programme, and have a measurable impact on regional economic growth.
Key elements of the fund remain subject to business case approval, more information will be available on this page in due course.