Got an email from UKRI yesterday – with the pre-announcement of the upcoming £500m Local Innovation Partnerships Fund.

This is a major opportunity to boost local and regional innovation, growth and competitiveness!

𝘿𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙁𝙪𝙣𝙙 (𝙎𝙄𝙋𝙁)

I worked on a few SIPF bids. While both LIPF and SIPF aim to foster regional economic growth through research and innovation, there are some key differences in their emphasis and approach:

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 (𝗦𝗜𝗣𝗙)

𝘖𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦: R&D strengths driving industry clusters to become nationally and internationally competitive, leading to significant regional economic growth.

𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨: Competitive fund for collaborative bids primarily between research organisations and businesses, often involving local leadership. Individual awards ranged between £10 million and £50 million over 3-5 years, with a total SIPF allocation of around £312.5 million.

𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘴: While collaborative, the emphasis was on “strengths” – building on established research and innovation excellence.

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 (𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗙):

𝘖𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦: put “local expertise in the lead,” empowering local authorities, businesses, and researchers to shape decisions and make the most impact. It seeks to invest in innovation clusters within identifiable innovation ecosystems, aligned with national policy priorities, to drive regional economic growth, jobs, and skills.

𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩: “partnership and co-creation” between UKRI and locally-led triple-helix partnerships/consortia of civic authorities, industry, and research organisations.

𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦 (𝘓𝘐𝘗𝘍): A lightly larger fund, with £500 million total, and a commitment to allocate at least £30 million for each of ten regions across the UK (including one in each devolved nation), with a competitive process for other areas.

𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘴: While still seeking innovation-led growth, LIPF places a stronger emphasis on civic leadership, readiness and governance, additionality and measurable impact.

𝘈𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘐𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵: A clear intention to attract an additional £1 billion in investment (including private sector) and £700 million of additional value to local economies.

More at https://lnkd.in/eWFnb-Mr

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