Two Liverpool City Region innovation projects led by the University of Liverpool have secured a combined £23.7 million in funding through UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Local Innovation Partnership Fund (LIPF).
The funding is the first allocation from £30 million earmarked for the Liverpool City Region under the national £500 million programme, which aims to support the development and expansion of high-potential innovation clusters across the UK. Funding decisions are made locally through the Liverpool City Region Local Innovation Partnership Group.
The two projects focus on artificial intelligence, materials chemistry, infection prevention and control, and the convergence of these technologies.
The largest award, £15 million, has been granted to the University of Liverpool’s AIM-HI programme. The project will build on the work of the Materials Innovation Factory and aims to develop a high-growth chemical innovation cluster in the city region. The funding is matched by £30 million from industry partners.
According to project leaders, AIM-HI will address challenges facing the chemicals sector by helping bridge the gap between academic research and commercial application, particularly in the use of artificial intelligence in chemistry.
A second project, the National Biofilms Innovation Centre: Liverpool Engine (NBIC-LIVE), has received £8.7 million. The programme will establish a centre focused on the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to accelerate the development of antimicrobial and anti-biofilm surfaces.
Biofilms are estimated to be involved in around 80% of infections and are associated with significant costs across healthcare and industry. The project aims to speed up the development and commercialisation of new materials while strengthening the city region’s advanced manufacturing capabilities.
The funding announcement coincides with Liverpool City Region’s Innovation Investment Fortnight, which runs from 1 to 12 June. The event programme will showcase more than £2 billion worth of investment opportunities across sectors including life sciences, maritime, games development, artificial intelligence and sports science.
Professor Sir Ian Chapman, chief executive of UKRI, said the fund was designed to help research generate economic benefits in communities across the UK.
He said Liverpool City Region was demonstrating how expertise in areas such as AI-enabled chemistry and antimicrobial innovation could be connected directly to industry and international markets.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, described the funding as a vote of confidence in the region’s innovation strengths and said it would help turn research into jobs and economic opportunities.
Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, said the investment highlighted the role of partnerships between universities, industry and civic leaders in supporting economic growth and scientific innovation.
The Local Innovation Partnership Group, which includes representatives from local government, universities, industry and the social economy, is responsible for making funding decisions for the programme within the Liverpool City Region.
