Local Innovation Partnerships Fund for Northern Ireland

Funding for NI innovation partnerships

The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) is a £500 million UK-wide programme from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It is designed to help businesses, universities, and civic partners work together to build and grow strong innovation clusters that create jobs and economic growth.

The Fund offers two opportunities for clusters in Northern Ireland: an earmarked strand focused on the Belfast-Derry/Londonderry Innovation Corridor, and a competitive strand open to clusters in other parts of the region.

Earmarked strand: Belfast-Derry/Londonderry Innovation Corridor

At least £30 million has been confirmed to support innovation clusters in the Belfast-Derry/Londonderry Innovation Corridor. This five-year funding (2026-2031) will help partnerships in the corridor develop and scale up projects with strong commercial potential. 

Life and Health Sciences and a Net Zero Transport/Energy Infrastructure-Enabled cluster have been confirmed as the clusters of focus for Northern Ireland's earmarked award. 

The Life and Health Sciences cluster was selected for its focus on connected health through data and intelligent formulation, with artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber as enabling capabilities, and its potential for significant regional impact. 

A Net Zero Transport/Energy Infrastructure-Enabled cluster was selected for its strong alignment with strategic priorities and its potential for significant regional impact.

What happens next?

The Department for the Economy (DfE), working with the selected clusters, will complete a readiness check for UKRI by February 2026. 

Following this, a cluster-focused portfolio submission will be developed and issued to UKRI in May 2026 for assessment. 

For further information, download LIPF guidance notes (PDF, 222K) or contact the DfE LIPF Team at innovationfunding@economy-ni.gov.uk.

Competitive strand: Open to other NI regions

Alongside the earmarked funding, UKRI has launched a competitive strand of the Fund. This provides up to £20 million per place for high-potential innovation clusters outside the Belfast-Derry/Londonderry Innovation Corridor.

This opportunity is open to partnerships that bring together businesses, universities, and local leaders to grow innovation in their area. Eligible projects should show how they will attract private investment, create jobs, and strengthen the region's innovation ecosystem.

How to get involved: Competitive strand

For the competitive strand, UKRI will manage the open call directly. Clusters across Northern Ireland that are located outside the Innovation Corridor - and working in areas such as advanced manufacturing, agri-tech, digital, or clean energy - can apply directly to UKRI through the open competition.

The deadline for applications is 4pm on Thursday 12 February 2026.

Full guidance and application details are available on the UKRI website.

First published 13 November 2025