The University of Liverpool has become the first major beneficiary of a new initiative to devolve decision-making on research funding to regional mayors after it secured almost £24 million in grants related to artificial intelligence (AI).
Nearly a year after the UK government said it will provide £500 million in research funding to regional mayoralties between 2026 and 2031, the Greater Liverpool region has been awarded £30 million from the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, it was announced on 1 June.
Under the scheme, two projects led by the University of Liverpool will receive £23.7 million including AIM HI, which aims to accelerate the application of AI and robotics in materials chemistry, to increase productivity and new business growth.
The other project, NBIC LIVE, will establish the world’s first centre of innovation excellence dedicated to AI-enabled rapid innovation of antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-biofilm surfaces and materials.
The fund was one of the key announcements from the June 2025 spending review which secured a record £86 billion research and development settlement until 2030, with 17 regions set to receive £30 million allocations.
