Glasgow City Region LIPF Fund

GCR Local Innovation Partnership Fund – Commercialisation of R&D Programme Guidance

Introduction

This guidance has been created to help organisations interested in being part of Glasgow City Region’s (GCR) proposal for the UKRI Local Innovation Partnership Fund (LIPF) – Commercialisation of R&D programme. It explains the regional context, GCR’s role, and how prospective partners can engage in shaping the bid.

The LIPF is a significant national initiative from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) aimed at accelerating the development of high-potential innovation clusters across the UK. ¹ GCR is one of ten areas selected for investment, recognising the region’s strong innovation record and its ability to deliver large-scale impact. The programme emphasises co-creation, with UKRI and local partners jointly developing investment plans that align national goals with regional strengths.

This document is intended to supplement the formal UKRI guidance and should be read in parallel with it. It is aimed at organisations across the region - such as businesses, universities and research bodies- interested in collaborating on GCR’s bid.

The £25m GCR LIPF Commercialisation of R&D programme will support a wide range of R&D activity, helping to speed up the commercialisation of research, encourage the adoption of new technologies, and enable businesses to scale, grow and attract private investment.

Please note there will be complementary skills and infrastructure programmes as part of the GCR LIPF. Details of these can be found separately.

Strategic Focus

GCR stands at the intersection of two of the UK’s most dynamic growth clusters – Health & Life Sciences (HLS) and Digital Enabling Technologies (DET). The Region’s deep scientific expertise, advanced data infrastructure, and collaborative innovation ecosystem make it uniquely positioned to drive digitally powered Life Sciences innovation - where breakthroughs in health, medicine, and biotechnology are accelerated by data, AI and quantum computing.

GCR is creating an integrated innovation pathway from discovery to commercialisation. This vision positions the Region not just as a place where science happens, but as a global testbed for digitally enabled healthcare and life sciences innovation.

We are looking for projects that build on GCR’s internationally recognised strengths in Life Sciences, particularly in Advanced Diagnostics, MedTech, BioTech and Pharma. Proposals might also explore applications of digital technologies that can offer high productivity gains such as AI, Photonics, Quantum and processes for medicines manufacturing.

Who Should Apply

We are inviting applications from organisations across the GCR who have a project that aligned with the aims and objectives of the GCR LIPF submission. This includes:

Businesses with growth potential within Health and Life Sciences or Digital Enabling Technologies where activity is supportive of growth in Health and Life Sciences.
Universities and research institutions with translational R&D capabilities.

Project Eligibility Criteria

Projects must demonstrate that the activity is related to research commercialisation and match funding requirements. In addition, they should demonstrate strong alignment with the GCR strategic ambitions and innovation approach. The organisation does not need to currently be based within the Glasgow City Region. However, any proposed activity must be delivered locally and must be able to clearly demonstrate how the benefits will be realised locally.

Specifically, proposals will be assessed against the following criteria:

Strategic Fit
- Clear alignment with the GCR ecosystem, including research institutions, assets, programmes, and organisations.
- Alignment with the GCR Regional Economic Strategy and Innovation Action Plan as well as the priorities of the UK Industrial Strategy.
- Evidence of alignment with GCR’s identified priority clusters and distinctive regional capabilities.
- Demonstrates commitment to the Triple Helix model, with meaningful collaboration across academic, business, and civic society partners.
Innovation and Commercialisation

Addresses gaps in innovation translation, commercialisation, and/or technology
Demonstrates potential for cross-cluster collaboration or sectoral convergence, including unlocking new markets and accelerating real-world adoption of innovation.

Funding and Leverage

Minimum match funding of 2:1 from non-public sources.
Projects delivering higher levels of private sector leverage will be viewed favourably.

Deliverability and Impact

Deliverable within the 5-year lifetime of the fund, with a preference for projects that can evidence impact within the first 12–24 months.
Clear evidence of sustainability beyond the funding period, contributing to long-term ecosystem maturity and regional innovation governance.
Demonstrates potential for increased productivity, innovation-led economic growth, and enhanced global competitiveness.

Outputs and Outcomes

Tangible outputs such as new products, services, technologies, and job creation within GCR.
Contribution to the development of a more mature, connected, and resilient regional innovation ecosystem.

The UKRI Local Innovation Partnership Fund Guidance contains further details on the specific eligibility criteria which applicants are advised to read prior to submission.

Tips for Strong Applications:

Ensure all claims are backed by evidence.
Align clearly with GCR strategic priorities.
Demonstrate how the project will address gaps in translation/commercialisation. The LIPF will no fund blue-sky research
Demonstrate global competitiveness.
Demonstrate readiness and capacity to deliver within the LIPF timeframe.

Submission Process and Timeline

The GCR Local Innovation Partnership Fund submission will follow a phased approach aligned with UKRI’s national programme. We are currently inviting applications from potential delivery partners and project leads. These initial applications will inform the development of our regional portfolio and governance arrangements.

Projects that show promise but are not fully aligned with LIPF objectives, or are not deliverable within the fund’s timeframe, may be considered for other regional or national funding opportunities where appropriate. Engagement with the LIPF process does not replace formal application routes for other funding programmes, nor does it guarantee future investment.

Key milestones include:

Application submission deadline: 16th January 2025
Initial review and shortlisting: 19th January – 2^nd February
Portfolio development and co-creation with UKRI: January - February 2026
Final submission to UKRI: week commencing 6^th February
Funding decisions and project mobilisation: From April 2026

Please note that timelines may be subject to change based on UKRI’s national programme schedule. We will keep all applicants informed of any updates throughout the process.

Submission Instructions

Organisations wishing to be considered for inclusion in the GCR LIPF submission must complete the official application template via https://gcrlipf.co.uk/ by Friday 16^th January 2026.

Maximum of 3 pages of supporting evidence per project.
Use visuals (maps, charts, diagrams) to enhance clarity.
Ensure evidence is concise, relevant, and clearly linked to the criteria.

Assessment Process

Applicants to submit their project by 16^th January 2026.
A two-week reviewing period will follow, and successful projects will be shortlisted
If further clarification is required, applicants may be contacted in February 2026 to refine their proposals.
The GCR as the ‘Lead Bidder’ is aiming to submit the project portfolio on by the end of February 2026 in line with UKRI guidance.
Final project selection will be made following UKRI’s quality assessment process.

Contact Point for Queries

For any queries, please reach out to: glasgowcityregion@glasgow.gov.uk and use ‘GCR LIPF’ in the email subject.