We are running this funding opportunity on the new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service so please ensure that your organisation is registered. You cannot apply on the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system.
The project lead (‘lead bidder’) is responsible for completing the application process on the Funding Service, but we expect all team members and project partners to contribute to the application.
Only the lead organisation (‘lead bidder’) can submit an application to UKRI.
To apply
Select ‘Start application’ near the beginning of this Funding finder page.
- Confirm you are the project lead.
- Sign in or create a Funding Service account. To create an account, select your organisation, verify your email address, and set a password. If your organisation is not listed, email support@funding-service.ukri.org
Please allow at least 10 working days for your organisation to be added to the Funding Service. We strongly suggest that if you are asking UKRI to add your organisation to the Funding Service to enable you to apply to this opportunity, you also create an organisation Administration Account. This will be needed to allow the acceptance and management of any grant that might be offered to you.
- Answer questions directly in the text boxes. You can save your answers and come back to complete them or work offline and return to copy and paste your answers. If we need you to upload a document, follow the upload instructions in the Funding Service. All questions and assessment criteria are listed in the How to apply section on this Funding finder page.
- Allow enough time to check your application in ‘read-only’ view before sending to your research office.
- Send the completed application to your research office for checking. They will return it to you if it needs editing.
- Your research office will submit the completed and checked application to UKRI.
Where indicated, you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant.
When including images, you must:
- provide a descriptive caption or legend for each image immediately underneath it in the text box (this must be outside the image and counts towards your word limit)
- insert each new image on a new line
- use files smaller than 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format
Images should only be used to convey important visual information that cannot easily be put into words. The following are not permitted, and your application may be rejected if you include:
- sentences or paragraphs of text
- tables
- excessive quantities of images
A few words are permitted where the image would lack clarity without the contextual words, such as a diagram, where text labels are required for an axis or graph column.
For more guidance on the Funding Service, see:
References
References should be included within the word count of the appropriate question section. You should use your discretion when including references and prioritise those most pertinent to the application.
Hyperlinks can be used in reference information. When including references, you should consider how your references will be viewed and used by the assessors, ensuring that:
- references are easily identifiable by the assessors
- references are formatted as appropriate to your research
- persistent identifiers are used where possible
General use of hyperlinks
Applications should be self-contained. You should only use hyperlinks to link directly to reference information. You must not include links to web resources to extend your application. Assessors are not required to access links to conduct assessment or recommend a funding decision.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI)
Use of generative AI tools to prepare funding applications is permitted, however, caution should be applied.
For more information see our policy on the use of generative AI in application and assessment.
Deadline
UKRI must receive your application by 4:00pm UK time on 13 November 2025 for wave 1 readiness applications and by 4:00pm UK time on 3 February 2026 for wave 2 readiness applications. You may choose to submit your application via wave 1 or wave 2. You will not be able to apply after the wave 2 deadline on 3 February 2026.
Further deadlines can be found in the opportunity timeline.
Make sure you are aware of and follow any internal institutional deadlines.
Following the submission of your application to the funding opportunity, your application cannot be changed, and applications will not be returned for amendment. If your application does not follow the guidance, it may be rejected.
Personal data
Processing personal data
UKRI will need to collect some personal information to manage your Funding Service account and the registration of your funding applications.
We will handle personal data in line with UK data protection legislation and manage it securely. For more information, including how to exercise your rights, read our privacy notice.
Sensitive information
If you or a core team member need to tell us something you wish to remain confidential, email place@ukri.org
Include in the subject line: [the funding opportunity title; sensitive information; your Funding Service application number].
Typical examples of confidential information include:
- individual is unavailable until a certain date (for example due to parental leave)
- declaration of interest
- additional information about eligibility to apply that would not be appropriately shared in the ‘Applicant and team capability’ section
- conflict of interest for UKRI to consider in reviewer or panel participant selection
- the application is an invited resubmission
For information about how UKRI handles personal data, read UKRI’s privacy notice.
Publication of outcomes
If your application is successful, we will publish some personal information on the UKRI Gateway to Research.
Summary
Word limit: 500
In plain language, provide a summary we can use to identify the most suitable experts to assess your application. Clearly describe your submission in terms of:
- context, geography, priority clusters, and specialisms, highlighting unique advantage
- the vision and innovation opportunity of the priority clusters present
- the triple helix governance that will oversee the LIPF
- track record and outline project opportunities
We usually make this summary publicly available on external-facing websites, therefore do not include any confidential or sensitive information. Make it suitable for a variety of readers, for example:
- opinion-formers
- policymakers
- the public
- the wider research community
Core team
Only list one individual as project lead. To be the project lead you must be affiliated with the organisation submitting the application on behalf of the triple helix partnership. You will be the main contact for UKRI.
Find out more about UKRI’s core team roles in funding applications.
Application questions
Resources and cost justification
Word limit: 200
The triple helix partnership is eligible to apply for funding up to £300,000 to cover operating expenditure (opex) of the partnership. Explain how you intend to use this funding and justify all resources that have been costed as ‘Exceptions’.
You can request costs associated with reasonable adjustments where they increase as a direct result of working on the project. For further information see Disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders.
We are not looking for detailed costs or a line-by-line breakdown of all resources. Overall, they want you to demonstrate how the resources you anticipate needing for your proposed work:
- are comprehensive, appropriate, and justified
- represent the optimal use of resources to achieve the intended outcomes
- maximise potential outcomes and impacts
Strategic vision and priority clusters
Word limit:1,000
How closely aligned are the innovation objectives with economic growth plans, and how well-defined and evidenced are the priority cluster opportunities?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Your response to the assessors should include:
- cluster opportunities: clearly define priority innovation clusters, ensuring they are characterised by distinctive functional geographies, and have clear specialisms and characteristics that make them unique, with evidence demonstrating their growth potential. Cluster opportunities should be focused, to support or build critical mass
- economic strategy and vision: demonstrate how the opportunities of the identified clusters align with Local Growth Plan priorities (or similar), link to wider economic objectives alongside UK strategic objectives such as the Industrial Strategy. For Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, proposals can instead be linked with national strategic priorities or UK strategic objectives such as the Industrial Strategy where relevant.
- innovation strategy and priorities: outline how the identified clusters align with regional innovation priorities, demonstrating their contribution to regional objectives
Examples of supporting evidence to reference or include:
- maps of priority clusters: visuals setting out the functional economic geography of identified clusters and their relationship to local infrastructure, assets, and industry sectors. Clusters may focus on a single sector or span multiple sector clusters but should have clear links with related innovation assets, plans or investments
- cluster opportunity: evidencing of the growth potential of identified clusters, for example market analysis, sectoral trends, and evidence of demand or need
Upload a single PDF containing the documents (maximum of three pages).
Innovation strength and opportunity
Word limit: 1,000
How mature is the local innovation ecosystem, what areas require intervention to accelerate innovation-led growth, and how effectively are key stakeholders collaborating?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Your response to the assessors should include:
- stage of maturity: describe the stage of maturity of the current innovation ecosystem, the priority clusters (emerging versus established), and evidence of the R&D infrastructure, assets, and key actors that will support the opportunities identified
- areas for intervention: identify market failures, barriers, or challenges within the innovation ecosystem that hinder growth but may be addressed through the LIPF, and how local investment and policy levers may be utilised in tandem
- collaboration across the ecosystem: provide evidence of effective collaboration both within the triple helix partnership and across the ecosystem. This may include collaborative projects, programmes and priority setting, formal partnerships or joint ventures
Examples of supporting evidence:
- ecosystem study: Evidence from previous studies, including maps and diagrams that illustrates the key stakeholders and capabilities within the local innovation ecosystem and their relationship to proposed cluster opportunities
- evidence of intervention need: References from reports, studies or data which illustrate the gaps or barriers within the ecosystem, such as access to finance, market readiness or talent shortage, and how these hinder innovation and cluster growth. This can include references to economic assessments, sector studies, independent reviews, national studies, and qualitative insights from key stakeholders
Upload a single PDF containing the documents (maximum of three pages).
Governance and leadership
Word limit: 500
How effective are the governance structures in place for overseeing innovation priorities, making strategic investment decisions, and ensuring transparency and fairness in decision-making processes?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Your response to the assessors should include:
- existing governance arrangements: present a clear governance framework capable of overseeing innovation priorities, making strategic judgements, and responsible for investment decisions
- triple helix representation: ensure the governance proposed includes, as a minimum, representation from business, academia, and government. This representation should be meaningful, with each partner having a clear and active role
- transparency and accountability: outline how the governance structure ensures transparency and accountability throughout the decision-making process
Examples of supporting evidence:
- governance structure diagram: a visual representation of the governance structure, including the roles of key stakeholders and their relationship to one another
- formal partnership agreement: any evidence which confirms there are existing formal agreements between partners set out the collaborative nature of the governance structure, for example a memorandum of understanding
Upload a single PDF containing the documents (maximum of three pages).
Operational capability
Word limit: 1,000
How effectively can the place manage the portfolio of projects, ensuring that operational systems, processes, and track records are in place to deliver large-scale innovation projects and achieve the desired impact?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Your response to the assessors should include:
- confidence in delivery: demonstrate experience in managing large-scale innovation programmes (or similar), with a focus on delivering projects on time, within budget, and with secured matched funding
- project pipeline: provide a brief indication of the projects being considered that can be delivered within the timeframe of the LIPF programme and that align with its objectives
- operational systems and resources: provide a brief overview of the systems and resources in place to manage and deliver innovation projects
Examples of supporting evidence:
- previous innovation delivery: brief details on successful, relevant projects, highlighting examples of partner delivery, match funding, and how innovation has been translated into successful outcomes. This can be in a short, table rather than case study format
- project portfolio: a list of potential or ongoing projects linked to the priority clusters, including brief descriptions, stage of development, cost and expected outcomes
Upload a single PDF containing the documents (maximum of three pages).
