The East Midlands has secured £20 million through the UK Research and Innovation Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, supporting a programme of projects focused on advanced manufacturing, clean energy and business innovation.
The five-year programme brings together regional authorities, universities and businesses, with funding directed towards four interconnected projects. These will support opportunities in nuclear manufacturing supply chains, aerospace technologies, small business development and clean technology.
One of the projects, focused on helping smaller manufacturers access new supply-chain opportunities, has also been allocated up to £3.2 million through the East Midlands Investment Zone. This is a separate funding contribution alongside the wider £20 million innovation programme.
The East Midlands Combined County Authority expects the portfolio to support more than 1,700 jobs. At the time of the announcement, delivery arrangements remained subject to the completion of funding agreements with UK Research and Innovation.
The announcement extends the region's investment in industrial innovation and strengthens links between the Investment Zone's manufacturing priorities and wider research and commercialisation activities.