Area of investment and support

UK Regulatory Science and Innovation Networks

This programme, led by Innovate UK, enables consortia of businesses, academics and other organisations to build networks of expertise in regulatory science and innovation across emerging technology sectors throughout the UK. The networks will develop regulatory science-based tools underpinning smarter, more agile regulation for new products, services and treatments.

• Budget: The programme's human health strand (focusing on healthcare) is funded by £6.2 million to develop seven Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation. The non-human health strand (encompassing all other sectors) is a £4.7 million investment supporting 11 Regulatory Science and Innovation Networks.
• Duration: The Implementation Phase projects began between December 2024 and February 2025, and run for 12 to 15 months.
• Partners involved: Innovate UK (non-human health strand and human health strand), Medical Research Council (human health strand), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (human health strand), Office for Life Sciences (human health strand)

The scope and what we're doing

The programme comprises two strands: one focused on healthcare, the second on all other economic sectors and innovation areas.

Human health strand

Innovate UK and MRC partnered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Office for Life Sciences to support the development of seven Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSIs). The centres will shape regulatory pathways across diverse healthcare sectors, bringing innovative treatments to patients faster.

The seven CERSIs are:

• the Digital Transformation of Medicines Development and Manufacturing CERSI, led by University of Strathclyde, to accelerate the adoption of digital tools in medicine development
• the UK Regulatory Innovation Network for Advanced Therapies, led by Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, to streamline regulation of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products
• the Regulatory Science Empowering Innovation in Transformative Digital Health and AI CERSI, led by Brunel University, to safely maximise the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) powered healthcare solutions
• the Centre of Excellence on In-silico Regulatory Science and Innovation, led by The University of Manchester, to integrate evidence from computational models into the regulatory process
• the Clinical Evaluation & Assessment for Regulation of Diagnostic tests CERSI, led by Psephos Ltd, to help create safe availability of diagnostic tests for patients
• the Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation in AI & Digital Health Technologies (CERSI-AI), led by University of Birmingham, to optimise the regulation of AI and digital healthcare technologies to ensure innovations are safe and effective for patients
• the Centre for Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation in Pharmacogenomics, led by University of Liverpool, to develop guidelines for using pharmacogenomics in practice and attract further investment in this area

Non-human health strand

The non-human health strand is an Innovate UK core-funded investment, funding 11 Regulatory Science & Innovation Networks (RS&INs) across sectors ranging from biofilms to agri-robotics, through to digital products regulation.

The 11 networks are:

• Regulations to Ensure Sustainable Circular Use at End-of-Life for Wind, led by Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, to explore regulatory drivers and barriers in the recycling of materials from end-of-life wind turbines
• RetroNetZero Regulatory Science and Innovation Network for unlocking Adoption of Innovation, led by Building Research Establishment Ltd, to advance regulatory science to help policymakers regulate housing retrofit technologies
• Bio-based and Biodegradable Materials Regulatory Network, led by Bio-Based and Biodegradable Industries Association, to advance regulation and create business growth opportunities for BB materials
• Biofilm Alliance: A Network for Regulatory Sciences, Academic Research, and Industry Collaboration, led by University of Southampton, to address challenges in regulatory science which hinder advancements in biofilm control technologies
• Regulatory Science Network for Innovative Aquaculture, led by Esox Biologics Ltd, to design a framework to link aquatic DNA with disease monitoring
• Agri-Robotics Regulatory Network, led by UK Agri-Tech Centre Ltd, to help optimise regulation and standards governing UK agri-robotics
• Novel Foods Regulatory Expert Network, led by Reading Scientific Services Ltd, to look at Novel Food regulation, which could provide smoother pathways for swift market entry of new technologies and products
• Life Cycle Assessment Regulatory Science & Innovation Network, led by The University of Sheffield, to strengthen Life Cycle Assessment, a method of evaluating environmental impacts of products and materials
• IBC-Net, led by UK Agri-Tech Centre Ltd, to overcome regulatory hurdles in insect bioconversion (the process of using insects to break down organic waste into protein for animal feed, oils or fertiliser)
• Advanced Regulatory Innovation Eco System, led by Ideaonomy Ltd, to develop an AI-based digital platform to support regulators
• Digital Products Regulatory Innovation Network, led by Oxford Brookes University, to help strengthen quality of products sold online

Why we're doing it

Regulation can play a pivotal role in accelerating innovation by providing certainty for innovators and investors, and boosting consumer trust. However, the rapid pace of technological advances often outstrips the evolution of regulations and regulatory frameworks, which risks stifling investment in innovation.

To bridge this gap and cultivate a more investable proposition for emerging technologies, this programme is a strategic investment in networks of expertise that will develop new tools, data sets and pioneering approaches. The networks will use regulatory science to help policymakers and regulators develop regulations that make it easier for businesses to invest in emerging technologies.

Past projects, outcomes and impact

There was an initial, six-month Discovery Phase competition which acted as a prelude for the Implementation Phase. In the Discovery Phase we supported 40 consortia with £50,000 each.

All 40 networks entered the secondary Implementation Phase competition, of which 18 were successful (following budget allocation).

MHRA supports launch of Innovate UK’s first-of-its-kind initiative to fund new Regulatory Science and Innovation Networks (MHRA press release)

The Discovery Phase competition brief also provides further background details on the programme.

Who to contact

Ask a question about this area of investment

Nick Spickernell, Senior Innovation Partnership Manager – Regulations & Standards

Email: nick.spickernell@iuk.ukri.org

Telephone: 07767 272711

Include ‘UK RSIN website’ in the email subject line.

We aim to respond within five working days.

Governance, management and panels

The Regulatory Science and Innovation Networks Programme is overseen by a programme board made up of its funders and sponsors, specifically:

• Innovate UK
• MRC
• MHRA
• Office for Life Sciences
• a senior representative from the Regulatory Innovation Office policy team in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Board meetings are also attended by the British Standards Institution, given the centres and networks focus on standardisation.

Last updated: 12 August 2025