Aims/priorities: The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) is designed to support the development and scaling of high-potential innovation clusters across the UK. It is designed to support both established clusters with a proven track record of innovation, and emerging clusters that are in earlier stages of development but have significant potential to generate economic value.
The primary objectives of the LIPF are to:
- Foster the growth of mature innovation clusters by deepening their capabilities and expanding their reach.
- Support emerging clusters, to grow and mature their ecosystems enhancing their capability of generating substantial economic value.
- Support the adoption, diffusion, and commercialisation of new technologies.
- Strengthen local partnerships and governance to deliver place-based innovation.
The LIPF is designed to support a broad range of research and development (R&D) activities that ultimately accelerate research commercialisation, adoption of new technologies, support businesses to scale and grow and unlock private investment.
Funding will be invested in place-based portfolios co-developed by local partnerships between civic institutions, businesses and universities - referred to as the 'Triple Helix' model.
Who can apply? Applications to the Competed Strand must be submitted by 'Triple Helix' partnerships, involving collaboration between UK based civic institutions, businesses and universities. The opportunity is open to areas across the UK that are not in receipt of an Earmarked Award.
Partnerships may also include wider local stakeholders such as NHS bodies, social enterprises, or community organisations.
All submissions must be made on behalf of a triple helix partnership.
The lead organisation (lead bidder) should be agreed by the partnership on the basis of who is best placed to coordinate the response and represent the cluster opportunity. In many instances, this will be a mayoral strategic authority, combined authority or another form of regional leadership body with the necessary capacity and resources. However, there is the flexibility to designate a university or research organisation to take on a role where appropriate. The lead organisation will be required to access the UKRI Funding Service.
To apply on behalf of a triple helix partnership, the applicant must be based at an eligible organisation as follows:
- Higher education providers
- Research institutes
- Public sector research establishments
- NHS bodies
- Independent research organisations.
- A Mayoral Strategic Authority, or other local government partner that has been granted non-standard eligibility for this funding opportunity
Business and international organisations are not eligible to apply as the lead on behalf of a triple helix partnership.
Grant amount: Budget: Up to £500 million through two funding strands: an Earmarked Strand with pre-identified places and a Competed Strand which is open to the rest of the UK in the form of an Expression of Interest (EOI) process.
Earmarked strand: for allocated places with established governance
At least £30 million of funding is earmarked for the following UK regions:
- Greater Manchester
- West Midlands
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
- Liverpool City Region
- North East
- Greater London
- Glasgow City region
- Cardiff City region
- a corridor covering Belfast and Derry-Londonderry
Competed strand: a competitive strand for places outside of the earmarked awards
A competitive funding opportunity of up to £20 million per place will be available for high-potential innovation clusters not covered by an earmarked award.
Application process: UKRI will run a two-stage selection process to identify the most promising partnerships.
Applications to the Earmarked Strand (invitation only) are open between 6 October 2025 and 3 February 2026 (16:00).
Applications to the Competed Strand are open between 6 October 2025 and 12 February 2026 (16:00).
Proposals will be assessed for potential impact and readiness to proceed. Selected applicants will then be invited to co-develop their project portfolios with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Applicants will need to clearly define the functional geography of their proposed innovation cluster, which may extend beyond administrative boundaries. Proposals may explore collaborative models, such as pan-regional delivery or spatial corridor-based approaches, provided the focus remains on areas with the greatest potential for impact.
More information is available at the UKRI website.
Deadline: Thursday 12 February 2026, (16:00).
Contact information: Email: place@ukri.org