Purpose

To accept funding from the Local Innovation Partnership Fund if successful in allocation.

Decision

 EMCCA Board:

A)     Noted the success of the £20m, five-year regional LIPF submission and project portfolio, following Board endorsement in January 2026 and subject to UKRI contracting. Noted that EMCCA will not act as accountable body, with project funding contracted directly between UKRI and the relevant lead university, and that up to £3.2m of EMIZ revenue funding for the Connected Factories Project had already been allocated within the EMIZ reserve as part of the Board-approved budget, with the funding profile and any necessary budget movements to be agreed by the Section 73 Officer.

B)     Approved EMCCA’s participation in the LIPF programme, including its role in cluster development, programme management and portfolio oversight. Authorised the Executive Director of Resources and the Director of Legal, Governance and Compliance to accept and administer funding payable to EMCCA up to £1.33m, subject to appropriate assurance, and to finalise, enter into and vary any required funding, collaboration, data sharing and ancillary agreements in accordance with EMCCA’s Constitution, Financial Procedure Rules and Contract Procedure Rules.

C)    Approved the Innovation Advisory Board as the principal strategic oversight and assurance body for the LIPF programme, with responsibility for strategic advice, scrutiny and challenge on delivery, performance, risk, investment priorities and outcomes; noted the establishment of a Triple Helix LIPF Partner Board to support operational coordination, subject to approved terms of reference and appropriate partnership or collaboration arrangements; and noted that decisions binding EMCCA will be taken by the Board or by an officer acting under delegated authority.

D)    Agreed that EMCCA continues to work with UKRI and other national partners to deliver the current programme successfully, whilst also actively engaging in emerging discussions on the future devolution of LIPF and other later-stage innovation funding to mayoral strategic authorities, reflecting the Government's stated intention to provide greater local influence and control over place-based innovation investment.