Councils unite to bid for £20m innovation jackpot

Businesses and universities join attempt to secure vital funding

- KEVIN DYSON

Fund bid South Ayrshire could benefit from the fund

Ayrshire’s three councils have joined forces with regional businesses and universities in a bid to secure £20 million in innovation funding they say could help transform the area’s economy.

The application is expected to be submitted early next year to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) - a new £500 million programme aimed at creating and expanding high-potential innovation clusters across the UK.

If successful, the Ayrshire bid would secure five years of investment to develop cutting-edge projects in areas such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, life sciences, food and drink, and clean growth - sectors identified as central to Ayrshire's long-term economic strategy and central to the Ayrshire Growth Deal.

The work is being led by North Ayrshire Council on behalf of the region’s Regional Economic Partnership, with input from East and South Ayrshire Councils, the University of the West of Scotland, Ayrshire College, and the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland.