Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, UK Research and Innovation
Local leaders across the country can now bid for support of up to £20 million each in a new competition, as the government backs regional expertise to deliver cutting-edge research that could save lives and create jobs.
Research funding body UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is inviting a broad range of local and regional partnerships to bid for government funding to support research and innovation projects in their area through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund. The competition will back partnerships that can turn existing research breakthroughs into practical solutions that create jobs and improve people’s lives, supporting the government’s Plan for Change.
The fund is designed to help regions across the UK build on their existing strengths – whether that is developing technology that helps doctors diagnose diseases faster, creating cleaner transport solutions, or discovering innovations that spawn entirely new industries.
Local leaders, working alongside universities and businesses, are best placed to identify these regional opportunities and turn research breakthroughs into real-world solutions that benefit their communities.
Consortiums of various forms are encouraged to apply, to ensure regions across the length and breadth of the UK are supported to develop new innovations and drive regional growth.
The expression of interest deadline: 12th February 2026, 4pm
Education & Outreach Small Grants Scheme, Royal Astronomical Society
A range of public outreach activities are funded, such as development of public events, training workshops, broadcasting or podcasting, and development of educational material. Bids for funds for general equipment such as telescopes, laptop computers, scanners, digital projectors and the like have met with little success to date, even where the basis for the application to the E&O Fund was for promoting public understanding or other purposes relevant to the aims of the Society. The Society is willing to consider applications to get schemes going but will not provide a subsidy to ongoing educational projects.
The maximum E&O grant that can be applied for is £5,000 and at most one award per year will be made to any one person/ organisation. A budgetary breakdown of the whole project (not just the amount asked for) must be included.
Public Engagement Grant Scheme, Institute of Physics
The Public Engagement Grant Scheme (PEGS) aims to support the IOP Limit Less initiative by funding projects that meaningfully engage whole family groups (including parents/carers) to improve their relationship with physics. This could be by showcasing relatable role models of those doing physics, actively challenging stereotypes and preconceptions, sharing positive messages about physics, and more!
The grant looks to prioritise projects that reach families with young people under the age of 16 who identify with one or more of the following groups:
Girls and young women;
Disabled young people;
LGBT+ young people;
Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds; and
Black Caribbean young people.
We are hoping to fund projects that can evidence public engagement best practice, the ability to reach one or more of these audiences, and evidence of positive impacts linked to the aims of Limit Less.
There will be two rounds of applications this year:
Round 1: Applications received between 9 February and 10 May. Applicants will receive a notification of the outcome of their application in early June, and payment no earlier than the end of June. Projects funded in Round 1 must start in 2026 and should be completed by 31 December 2026.
Round 2: Applications received between 11 May and 7 September. Applicants will receive notification of the outcome of their application in October, and payment no earlier than the end of October.
Projects funded in Round 2 must start in 2026 and should be completed by 30 June 2027.
The Royal Society of Chemistry’s Outreach Fund is open for applications of up to £10,000 to support exciting and creative chemical science engagement activities across the UK and ROI.
We fund a broad range of projects that connect communities from all backgrounds with the chemical sciences.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, with deadlines at 5pm (UK time) on 6 March, 5 June, and a final closing deadline at 5pm on 2 October 2026.
If you work with or have an idea to engage schools, community groups, families, public audiences or underserved communities, this fund could help support your work or bring a brand‑new idea to life. Or if you are looking for inspiration - take a look at the RSC Education Outreach Hub. If you have any questions about a project or application, get in touch via outreach@rsc.org.
