Two major innovation projects led by the University of Liverpool have secured £23.7 million from the Government’s Local Innovation Partnership Fund (LIPF), marking a significant boost for the Liverpool City Region’s (LCR) ambitions to become a global leader in science-led growth.
The funding, agreed by the Liverpool City Region Local Innovation Partnership Group, represents the first tranche of a £30 million allocation announced for the region in July 2025. Delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the wider £500 million LIPF programme is designed to strengthen high-potential innovation clusters across the UK by bringing together academia, industry and government to drive tangible economic and societal impact.
Major investment in AI, chemistry and infection control
The funding will support two flagship projects that build on the City Region’s strengths in materials chemistry, infection prevention and control, and emerging AI technologies.
The largest share, £15 million, has been awarded to the University of Liverpool’s AIM-HI programme. The initiative will expand on the success of the Materials Innovation Factory, with the aim of creating a high-growth chemical “super cluster” in the region. The programme has also secured £30 million in matched funding from industry, underlining strong private-sector confidence.
AIM-HI is expected to address longstanding translational challenges in the chemicals sector, which accounts for around 9% of manufacturing jobs in the North West. By bridging academic research in AI-driven chemistry with industrial application, the project aims to accelerate commercialisation and strengthen the UK’s manufacturing base.
Alongside this, the National Biofilms Innovation Centre: Liverpool Engine (NBIC-LIVE) programme has been awarded £8.7 million to develop what is described as the world’s first centre dedicated to AI- and machine learning-enabled innovation in antimicrobial and anti-biofilm surfaces.
Biofilms are responsible for up to 80% of infections and represent a significant cost burden across healthcare and industry. NBIC-LIVE aims to fast-track the development of next-generation materials, with the potential to deliver major advances in infection prevention while reinforcing the region’s reputation in advanced manufacturing.
Driving inclusive, place-based innovation
Both projects reflect the LIPF’s emphasis on collaboration and real-world outcomes. As well as involving academic institutions and businesses, projects in the Liverpool City Region must also demonstrate clear benefits for local communities.
This approach aligns with the region’s long-standing commitment to inclusive innovation – ensuring that advances in science and technology translate into wider economic opportunity, skills development and job creation.
The £23.7 million investment is expected to unlock new opportunities for businesses to scale, create high-value employment and accelerate the development of globally competitive technologies. It also strengthens the City Region’s broader strategy to build an innovation-led economy that connects world-class research with industrial demand.
Spotlight on £2bn investment pipeline
The announcement coincides with the start of the Liverpool City Region’s annual Innovation Investment Fortnight, running from 1 to 12 June. The two-week programme will showcase more than £2 billion in investment opportunities across over 25 events.
The festival brings together international investors, policymakers, researchers and businesses to highlight the region’s innovation ecosystem and partnership-led approach. Key events include:
- The fifth annual LCR Innovation Investment Summit at The Spine (4 June), featuring a Dragon’s Den-style pitching format
- An Innovation Zone Showcase highlighting cutting-edge projects
- The UK Innovation Districts Group Annual Summit
The programme spans a wide range of sectors, including life sciences, maritime, gaming, artificial intelligence and sports science, positioning the Liverpool City Region as a leading destination for place-based innovation.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:
“This funding is a major vote of confidence in the Liverpool City Region and our position at the forefront of global innovation. We’re already building real strength in areas like artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, and this investment will help us accelerate that progress – turning cutting-edge research into high-quality jobs and opportunities for our communities.
“It also comes at an important moment, helping us to launch our Innovation Investment Fortnight and put a spotlight on the scale of opportunity here. We have the talent, the assets and the ambition – and with backing like this, we can continue to lead from the front, both nationally and internationally.”
A long-term vision for growth
Liverpool City Region has been at the forefront of regional innovation policy since establishing the UK’s first regional Innovation Board in 2013. Its long-term ambition includes a target to invest 5% of GVA in research and development by 2030.
This latest funding milestone reinforces the region’s commitment to leveraging its academic excellence, industrial partnerships and local leadership to deliver sustainable, inclusive economic growth.
Image credit: iStock
