Researchers, innovators and local authorities to realise vision for future cities through Urban Living Partnership

Engineers, ecologists, economists and heritage experts will be among diverse research teams joining with local authorities and innovative business to build successful 21^st century cities.

Announced by Universities and Science Minister, Jo Johnson (23rd September 2015), The Urban Living Partnership will harness the broad spectrum of UK research and innovation expertise to help cities realise their aspiration of healthy, prosperous and sustainable living. The Partnership is the first time all seven UK Research Councils and Innovate UK have come together to address the complex challenges and opportunities of urban living.

Universities and Science Minister, Jo Johnson said: “As a One Nation Government, we are backing our great cities and towns, ensuring they drive economic growth, embrace innovation and have resilient infrastructure. This unique partnership will harness the UK’s world-leading strength in research and I encourage all aspirational cities to make their case. Cities disproportionately contribute to innovation, creativity and economic activity and are vital to a successful global economy…”

The first step will be to invest £2 million in creating up to five individual pilot city projects, each led by a consortium of researchers, local authorities, service providers and businesses. Funding of up to £400,000 will be awarded to support each pilot project to conduct a ‘diagnostic’ phase commencing in April 2016 and running initially for up to 18 months.

In this first pilot phase, the Partnership is seeking applications from consortia which bring together leading cross-disciplinary research expertise, city leaders, businesses, civic organisations and community groups, public, third sector and other urban innovators. Each of the consortia will be expected to conduct an initial pilot diagnostic phase focused on building integrated understanding of the challenges, opportunities and future visions of a specific UK city / urban area and developing agendas for future research and innovation.

The deadline for research organisations to submit full applications via  Je-S on behalf of consortia is 16:00 on 21 January 2016, with a deadline for submitting initial expressions of interest (EoI) on 26 November 2015. (Please note that the call will not be open in               Je-S until 26 November 2015.) EPSRC is administering the pilot call on behalf of the partnership.

For more information on The Urban Living Partnership and the pilot cities funding call visit:

https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/calls/ulppilotphase/