Liverpool first winner for devolved mayoral research funding

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, anti-viral 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.

Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said the funding would help support the “world-class expertise” found in the north-west city, and that investment “will help turn that innovation into good jobs, new industries and real opportunities for local people”.

“For too long, decisions about funding and investment have been made in Whitehall by people too far removed from the strengths and challenges of our communities,” said Rotheram, a key ally of Andy Burnham who is tipped to replace Keir Starmer as UK prime minister if he wins next month’s by-election in Makerfield.

“Giving mayors greater control over future innovation funding is another important step towards putting those decisions in local hands,” continued Rotheram, adding that “whether it’s life sciences, AI, advanced manufacturing or clean energy, we’ve shown time and again that our region can compete with anyone when we’re given the tools to do it”.

“This is about backing our strengths, growing the economy and making sure the benefits are felt by the people who live here,” he said.

The funding was announced by science secretary Liz Kendall on a visit to Liverpool on 1 June where she met mayors and local officials.

“Science and technology is the ultimate driver of growth, and this government is determined to ensure every region shares in the prosperity brought about by innovation,” said Kendall.

Welcoming the new allocations, Tim Jones, vice-chancellor of the University of Liverpool said the new funding mechanism “recognises the power of partnership between universities, industry and civic leaders”.

“Through AIM-HI and NBIC-LIVE, the University of Liverpool will help accelerate world-leading advances in AI-enabled materials chemistry and life science, while creating new opportunities for businesses, researchers and the [Liverpool] workforce,” he said.

jack.grove@timeshighereducation.com