Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) in London
Key information
- The programme supports: clusters that bring together researchers, businesses and civic partners to turn near to market innovation into commercial products and services
- Who can apply: see the UKRI guidance for a full list of eligible organisations
- Funding amount: up to £30 million (minimum £2 million per bid, subject to matched-funding requirements)
- Registration of interest opens: 8 December 2025
- Registration of interest closes: 14 January 2026, 4pm
- Get ready to apply: Read the UKRI guidance
Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF)
The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) is a new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) programme investing up to five hundred million pounds to grow high potential innovation clusters across the UK. London is set to receive thirty million pounds through the earmarked strand.
The fund supports clusters that bring together researchers, businesses and civic partners to turn near to market innovation into commercial products and services. This activity will help boost productivity, attract investment, and create new skilled jobs in London.
What the fund will support
LIPF aims to unlock regional innovation-led economic growth through investment in high-potential innovation clusters. These are integral to the UK government’s mission to kickstart economic growth. Projects will directly support the growth of high potential clusters, with a focus on near-to market research and innovation with strong potential for commercial application, industry adoption and scalable impact.
In London, the focus will be on sectors and technologies highlighted in the London Growth Plan and the National Industrial Strategy, including:
- Advanced manufacturing, with areas such as:
- Climate Tech/Green Innovation
- Clean Energy
- Defence
- Digital and Technologies, with areas such as:
- Advanced Connectivity Technologies
- Artificial Intelligence
- Engineering Biology
- Quantum Technology
- Semiconductors
- Health and Life Sciences
How the process works
London is part of Wave 2 of the national process as set out in the UKRI’s funding guidance. A London Frontier Innovation Board, made up of members from government, industry and academia, will oversee development of the London project portfolio.
The Greater London Authority (GLA) has been nominated by the Innovation Board to act as Lead Bidder and Local Anchor Entity. This means the GLA will coordinate the London submission, manage the London portfolio development process, and administer grants to business led projects. UKRI will continue to fund research organisations directly.
Who can apply
As part of the first phase, we invite organisations to register their interest in applying for the fund.
A full list of eligible research organisations can be found in the UKRI guidance on research organisations eligible for UKRI funding.
Further details on the application process will be published on this page on the launch date.
Dates
The timetable below sets out the target timescales for bidding and assessment for the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) in London:
- Registration of interest form opens: 8 December 2025
- Registration of interest form closes: 14 January 2026, 4pm
- Readiness checks submitted to UKRI: by 3 February 2026
- London project portfolio submitted: by 5 May 2026
- UKRI quality assurance of the portfolio: May to June 2026
- Final project selection by the London Frontier Innovation Board: June 2026
- Projects begin delivery: from July 2026 (must complete activity by 31 March 2031).
How to apply
We invite interested organisations to register their interest in London projects. A registration of interest must be submitted to move forward to the full proposal stage which will open in February 2026. This does not guarantee success in receiving LIPF funds.
Interested organisation will be able to access the registration of interest form on this page from 8 December 2025.
Details on the full application process will be published on this page in early 2026.
See the Get ready to apply section for UKRI funding guidance and requirements. A comprehensive list of FAQs and a link to the registration of interest form will be available from 8 December 2025.
Get ready to apply
Understand the fund requirements
Read the UKRI guidance and find out more about funding criteria and eligibility.
Questions
Any questions relating to this funding programme or corresponding funding guidance should be submitted to [email protected]
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