The Glasgow City Region will receive at least £30 million in UK Government funding to boost local innovation and economic growth through a new national programme, according to a press release.
The funding, announced by UK Science Minister Lord Vallance, is part of the £500 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) and aims to support regionally directed science and technology initiatives. Glasgow is one of three regions outside England, alongside Cardiff and the Belfast–Derry/Londonderry corridor, to be earmarked for a minimum allocation of £30 million. Seven English regions were announced as recipients last month.
Local partnerships between the Glasgow City Region authority, businesses and research organisations will work with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to determine investment priorities. These may include sectors such as life sciences, artificial intelligence, engineering, or medical technology. The funding is scheduled to be invested from April 2026.
“The Glasgow City Region has a proud history of transformative innovation and by working with local leaders who know their city best, this fund can help capitalise on the skills and drive that have earned that global reputation as a hub of science and technology,” said Lord Vallance. “That could mean bolstering Glasgow’s space cluster to unlock new opportunities beyond our planet or building on its history of cutting-edge medical technology.”
Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill added: “This £30 million investment in Glasgow City Region is great news. We are backing Glasgow’s world-class expertise in areas like medical technology and advanced manufacturing while supporting local jobs and skills.”
She said the UK Government remained committed to “unleashing Scotland’s innovation potential and driving economic growth right across our country.”
The LIPF builds on existing initiatives such as the Innovation Accelerator pilot scheme and the Strength in Places Fund. According to the government, these programmes have already attracted more than £140 million in private investment and created hundreds of jobs across participating regions.
Regions not included in the current tranche will be eligible to apply for competitive funding through a separate bidding process, with guidance from UKRI expected soon.
I do hope those receiving this funding have a half decent understanding of AI and computers generally and can put this funding to good use.
I am generally not sure that many of the people gifting this type of funding know what on earth AI is.
Is this to make up for the super computer labour cancelled for Edinburgh?
Another day, another defence contract for the Scots