GCR Local Innovation Partnership Fund - Infrastructure Laboratory Space Fund 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) – Infrastructure Laboratory Space Fund 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 note is intended to supplement the formal UKRI guidance and should be read in parallel with it. It is aimed at organisations across the Region and beyond - such as developers and businesses – interested in collaborating on GCR’s bid.

The £20m GCR LIPF Infrastructure Laboratory Space Fund programme will help to address the shortfall in Health and Life Sciences laboratory space which is restricting cluster growth.

Please note there will be complementary R&D Commercialisation and skills 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 should focus on the provision of laboratory space to support the growth of the cluster.

Who Should Apply

We are inviting applications from:

Project Eligibility Criteria

The organisation does not need to currently be based within the Glasgow City Region. However, funding is for projects within the Region. There are some key criteria the projects should meet:

Types of facilities

Financials

Proposals will be assessed against the following criteria:

  1. 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.
  2. Market Demand
    • Addresses gaps in lab space provision
    • Demonstrates potential for supporting long term cluster growth
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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:

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:

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 and submit the official application template via https://gcrlipf.co.uk/ by Friday 20th March 2026.

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.