Strength in Places Fund: Strong bids from every region and nation of the UK will be taken forward to the final decision stage

21 Mar 2019 03:10 PM

Twenty-four ambitious projects, from pharmaceuticals to aerospace, and transport to the creative economy, are to receive early-stage funding to develop full-stage bids that could lead to significant economic growth in places across the country.

Each of the shortlisted projects from the first wave of UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Strength in Places Fund has been awarded up to £50,000 in early-stage funding, which will allow applicants to develop full-stage bids. Teams behind these projects will then submit these bids to UKRI in late 2019, with four to eight of the strongest set to receive between £10 million and £50 million each to carry out projects designed to drive substantial economic growth.

Announced as part of the government’s Industrial Strategy in November 2017, the Strength in Places Fund will benefit all nations and regions of the UK by enabling them to tap into the world-class research and innovation capability that is spread right across the country. The fund brings together research organisations, businesses, and local leadership on projects that will lead to significant economic impact, high-value job creation and regional growth.

UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport, said: “Our clear vision is to ensure we benefit everyone through knowledge, talent and ideas. Significant support through the Strength in Places Fund will further catalyse economic potential across the country by bringing researchers, industry and regional leadership together to drive sustained growth through world-class research and innovation.”

The twenty-four projects span the UK, with all nations and regions of the country represented.

UKRI lead on the Strength in Places Fund, David Sweeney, said: “There is world-class research and development, and high quality innovation right across the UK, from excellent research in university departments and public research organisations to initiatives from forward-looking businesses.

“UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund will capitalise on these strengths and foster the local ecosystems that can support innovation and sustained growth and will strengthen collaboration between industry and our world-class research base.

“I am delighted with the range of seedcorn bids funded across the UK in the first wave.”

Strength in Places panel chair, Dame Kate Barker, said: “I was delighted to be invited by UK Research and Innovation to chair the SIPF independent expert panel. After considering a large number of Expressions of Interest from around the country, the panel were pleased to recommend a strong set of bids for funding. These awards demonstrate significant expertise across a wide range of sectors, and the potential for research and innovation partnerships to contribute substantially to increased growth and productivity in areas of local economic activity.”

The Strength in Places Fund is a cross-council UKRI programme in partnership with the higher education funding bodies of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and the Office for Students.

The Government confirmed in the 2018 Budget that the Strength in Places Fund is to receive a further £120 million to bring the fund budget for the period up to 2021/22 to £236 million.

Wales

Northern Ireland    

Scotland    


North East    

North West    

Yorkshire & Humber    

East Midlands    

West Midlands

South West

Greater London

East of England

South East