Local Innovation Partnerships Fund
The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) is a UKRI-led programme that will invest up to £500 million into the development and scaling of high-potential innovation clusters across regions of the UK.
LIPF supports activities that address place-based regional development and locally led growth by investing in collaborative innovation projects that respond to the specific strengths and opportunities of our region, encouraging partnerships of local government, businesses, higher and further education bodies, and community organisations.
CCR has established a triple helix Local Innovation Partnership of civic leadership institutions, businesses and universities to identify and assemble a credible portfolio of LIPF activities that draw upon local research and innovation strengths and support high potential innovation clusters within our region, empowering innovation leadership and delivering impact, at scale.
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As one of ten UK regions earmarked for at least £30m, the CCR LIPF will focus on Compound Semiconductors and Creative Industries. These clusters reflect areas of high growth potential, strong innovation capability, and clear links to inward investment.
Compound Semiconductors
The Cardiff Capital Region hosts a world-class compound semiconductor manufacturing cluster that has unique, open-access RD&I infrastructure across the region, a strong track record of industry-academic co-creation, and a co-ordinated, targeted, talent and skills framework delivered by initiatives such as CSconnected.
Creative Industries
The Cardiff Capital Region has developed a distinctive media innovation cluster, underpinned by the integration of creative technology across broadcasters, content creators and university-led R&D, driven by a range of cluster-building activity and programmes such as Media Cymru.
CCR LIPF Open Call
CCR has launched an Open Call for UK registered organisations to apply for a share of up to £5 million.
The CCR LIPF Open Call will fund:
· Projects with a total eligible grant funding request must be between £1m and £2.5m
· Projects with a total eligible grant funding request must be between £500k and £999k
Applications will be assessed across innovation, impact, deliverability, value for money, risk, and alignment with cluster priorities. Each section of the application form corresponds to these criteria and should be addressed clearly.
In assessing applications, particular emphasis will be placed on:
· The strength of the pathway to real world application, scaling and commercialisation
· The extent to which the project delivers a material step change in capability or performance
· The scale and distribution of impact across the Cardiff Capital Region, beyond a single organisation or site
· How well the project aligns with the cluster’s core specialism and addresses the defined problem or opportunity
Application Process
Applicants are invited to submit project proposals online via the CCR LIPF online application form from 16 April until 18 May. Projects that are not successful in this process can be placed into our future pipeline for consideration against other funding options that may exist.
Dates
· Full application form opens: 16 April 2026
· Full application form closes: 18 May 2026,17:00 BST
· Final project selection: July 2026
· Projects begin delivery: from 2026 (activities must be completed by 2031)
Drop In Sessions
We will be hosting two virtual drop-in sessions for prospective participants to find out more and will publish dates in due course.
If you would like to join either of these sessions, please email: innovation@cardiffcapitalregion.gov.uk