Up to £20 million to accelerate innovation with Greater Lincolnshire’s Agri tech and defence businesses

The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority has been selected to receive up to £20 million of UK Government funding to help local businesses and partners accelerate innovation in agri‑tech, defence and advanced manufacturing.

This investment recognises the strength of Greater Lincolnshire’s business community and the area’s unique blend of industry expertise, research excellence and strong supply chains. Working alongside partners including the University of Lincoln, the funding will support the innovation that powers our economy and brings new opportunities for local people.

The funding comes through the UK Government’s £500 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, designed to help places turn cutting‑edge research into real‑world products, thriving companies and high‑skilled jobs.

Mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns: “The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority is incredibly proud to have been successful with its proposal and to be selected to progress to the next round for a share of up to £20 million from the Local Innovation Partnership Fund.

“We are an area with the expertise, the innovation, and the ambition to match. This fund will provide the vital investment needed to unlock that potential and drive our growth to the next level.

“We are delighted to be leading this bid alongside our brilliant partners at the University of Lincoln and our hardworking business community. We are bringing together the leading voices from across our area from our pioneering Agri‑tech innovators to our defence and advanced manufacturing leaders.

“We are united in our commitment to driving dual‑technology growth, and we are accelerating innovation across Greater Lincolnshire. We are ready to get to work with UKRI and deliver for our people.”

As one of the lead partners in shaping the bid alongside local businesses, the University of Lincoln has shared its support for the investment and what it means for Greater Lincolnshire.

Professor Simon Pearson, Founding Director of the Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology, said: “We are delighted to secure this funding, building on Lincolnshire’s historic strength in both agriculture and defence as key economic anchors. This investment enables real horizontal transfer between these sectors, accelerating productivity and resilience across the agri-food and defence industries.”

Professor Fiona Strens, Director of the Centre for Defence & Security Artificial Intelligence, said: “This investment is a significant step forward for Greater Lincolnshire and reflects the strength of our region’s defence and security capabilities. By bringing together expertise across sectors, we can accelerate the development of dual-use technologies that enhance national resilience while delivering real-world impact for industry and society. The University is proud to have helped shape this vision and to play a central role in its delivery.”

The Science and Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, welcomed the investment, highlighting Greater Lincolnshire’s strengths in agricultural technology and defence.

Liz said: “Greater Lincolnshire has real strengths in agri‑tech and defence, and this investment will help accelerate innovation, jobs and growth. By working with local leaders, researchers and businesses, we can unlock new products and ideas that improve lives.”

UKRI’s Chief Executive Professor Sir Ian Chapman said the funding will help build on Greater Lincolnshire’s long history of innovation.

He added: “Greater Lincolnshire has a proud record of turning great ideas into real‑world impact. This investment will strengthen the region’s capabilities, boost productivity and create high‑skilled jobs for the future.”

To read the full announcement follow this link: Seven new UK areas confirmed for £500m innovation fund support – UKRI