Liverpool City Region has secured £23.7 million in government funding to accelerate groundbreaking projects in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and life sciences, helping create new jobs and drive economic growth across the region.
The investment, awarded through the Government’s Local Innovation Partnership Fund, will support two major University of Liverpool-led projects that aim to strengthen the city region’s position as a global leader in cutting-edge research and innovation.
The funding forms part of a wider £30 million allocation earmarked for Liverpool City Region and was announced at the launch of the region’s Innovation Investment Fortnight, a two-week programme showcasing more than £2 billion worth of investment opportunities.
Mayor Steve Rotheram described the funding as a major endorsement of the region’s growing reputation as a centre for innovation and emerging technologies.
Liverpool City Region Innovation Funding to Create Jobs and Growth
The largest share of the funding, £15 million, will support the University of Liverpool’s AIM-HI programme, which aims to establish a new high-growth chemical innovation cluster across the city region.
The project will build on the success of Liverpool’s Materials Innovation Factory and use artificial intelligence to help bridge the gap between academic research and commercial industry applications.
The funding is further strengthened by £30 million of matched investment from industry partners.
The chemical sector remains one of the North West’s most important industries, accounting for around nine per cent of manufacturing jobs in the region.
AIM-HI aims to ensure Liverpool City Region remains at the forefront of future developments in AI-enabled chemistry and advanced manufacturing.
A further £8.7 million has been allocated to the National Biofilms Innovation Centre: Liverpool Engine (NBIC-LIVE), a pioneering initiative that will establish the world’s first innovation centre focused on AI and machine learning-enabled development of antimicrobial and anti-biofilm surfaces.
University of Liverpool Projects Strengthen Global Innovation Leadership
The NBIC-LIVE project is expected to position Liverpool City Region as a world leader in tackling biofilms, which are responsible for around 80 per cent of infections and contribute to high industrial costs worldwide.
By accelerating the development of next-generation materials and technologies, the programme aims to attract investment, support businesses, and create high-value employment opportunities across the region.
The announcement comes as Liverpool City Region hosts its annual Innovation Investment Fortnight from 1 to 12 June.
The programme features more than 25 events showcasing the region’s strengths in life sciences, artificial intelligence, maritime innovation, gaming technology and sports science.
More than £2 billion worth of investment opportunities will be highlighted throughout the fortnight, bringing together investors, researchers, businesses and policymakers from across the UK and beyond.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“This funding is a major vote of confidence in the Liverpool City Region and our position at the forefront of global innovation.
“We’re already building real strength in areas like artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, and this investment will help us accelerate that progress, turning cutting-edge research into high-quality jobs and opportunities for our communities.”
The funding is expected to help unlock new opportunities for businesses, support the creation of highly skilled jobs and reinforce Liverpool City Region’s ambition to become one of the UK’s leading innovation-driven economies.
