The University of Liverpool has secured significant new funding from UK Research and Innovation to advance two flagship initiatives focused on artificial intelligence applications in materials chemistry and biofilm technologies. The awards, totalling more than £23.7 million through the Local Innovation Partnership Fund, position the institution at the forefront of innovation in the Liverpool City Region while supporting broader national priorities in net zero transitions, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.

Background to the Funding Announcement

On 1 June 2026, the University of Liverpool announced it is leading two high-growth projects selected under the UKRI Local Innovation Partnership Fund. These initiatives build on the university’s established strengths in interdisciplinary research, particularly through facilities like the Materials Innovation Factory. The funding reflects a strategic push to translate academic expertise into regional economic clusters, fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and local government.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority played a central role in identifying these projects as priorities for investment. This approach aligns with UKRI’s emphasis on place-based innovation, ensuring that research investments deliver tangible benefits to local economies and communities.

The AI Materials Hub for Innovation (AIM-HI)

The flagship AI Materials Hub for Innovation, known as AIM-HI, has received £15 million in LIPF funding, matched by more than £30 million from private sector partners. The overall programme aims to deliver a £100 million national facility dedicated to accelerating the application of artificial intelligence in materials chemistry. Located in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter, the hub will form part of a new purpose-built chemical sciences facility.

AIM-HI focuses on harnessing machine learning, robotics, and digital technologies to speed up the discovery and optimisation of new materials. Researchers will use these tools to address challenges in sustainable energy, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. The initiative draws on the university’s existing Materials Innovation Factory, which already collocates academic and industry teams to foster open innovation.

By creating a high-growth economic cluster, AIM-HI is expected to attract further investment and talent to the region. It supports the UK’s net zero ambitions through the development of materials for clean energy technologies and efficient chemical processes.

The National Biofilms Innovation Centre: Liverpool Engine (NBIC-LIVE)

The second project, NBIC-LIVE, has secured £8.7 million in LIPF funding within a £26 million overall programme. It will establish the world’s first centre of innovation excellence dedicated to AI-enabled rapid innovation of antimicrobial and anti-biofilm surfaces and materials.

Biofilms—complex communities of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces—pose significant challenges in healthcare, industry, and the environment. NBIC-LIVE will deploy high-throughput fabrication, multimodal testing, and bespoke workflows to accelerate the development of next-generation surfaces that resist biofilm formation or deliver targeted antimicrobial effects.

This initiative builds on the National Biofilms Innovation Centre’s existing network and positions the Liverpool City Region as a global leader in these technologies. It combines expertise in surface science, materials chemistry, and artificial intelligence to deliver commercially viable solutions.

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Integration with Broader UKRI AI for Chemistry Efforts

These new hubs complement earlier UKRI investments, including the AIchemy hub for AI in chemistry. Led by researchers at the University of Liverpool alongside partners at Imperial College London, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Southampton, AIchemy focuses on transforming the interface between artificial intelligence and chemistry through collaborative research, data sharing, and training programmes.

The combination of these efforts creates a comprehensive ecosystem at Liverpool for AI-enabled scientific discovery, spanning fundamental research to applied innovation and commercialisation.

Regional Economic and Innovation Impacts

The funding is designed to turbocharge regional economic growth in the Liverpool City Region. By establishing high-growth clusters in AI-enabled materials chemistry and biofilm technologies, the projects aim to create jobs, attract inward investment, and strengthen supply chains in advanced manufacturing and life sciences.

Private sector match funding exceeding £30 million for AIM-HI alone demonstrates strong industry confidence in the university’s capabilities. The open innovation model encourages collaboration with businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to multinational corporations.

Local stakeholders, including the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, have highlighted the potential for these hubs to address skills gaps and provide new pathways for graduates and researchers in the region.

Implications for Higher Education and Research Careers

For academics, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD candidates, these developments signal expanded opportunities in interdisciplinary fields at the intersection of AI, chemistry, materials science, and microbiology. The hubs will likely generate new positions in research, technical support, and knowledge exchange roles.

Universities across the UK can draw lessons from Liverpool’s model of integrating AI tools with experimental facilities. This approach accelerates discovery timelines while fostering the data literacy and computational skills increasingly valued in academic and industrial careers.

Early career researchers stand to benefit from training programmes, access to advanced infrastructure, and industry partnerships that enhance employability and research impact.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Future Outlook

University leaders have emphasised the strategic importance of these awards in reinforcing Liverpool’s position as a leader in AI-driven research. The initiatives align with national priorities outlined in UKRI strategies and support the government’s ambitions for science and technology-led growth.

Looking ahead, the hubs are expected to deliver measurable outcomes in patents, spin-out companies, and improved materials for real-world applications within the next five to ten years. Continued collaboration between the university, UKRI, and regional partners will be essential to maximising these benefits.

Readers interested in related career opportunities in UK higher education can explore current openings in research and academic roles.

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Actionable Insights for the Sector

Other UK universities seeking similar funding should prioritise strong industry partnerships, clear alignment with regional economic strategies, and demonstrated track records in interdisciplinary research. Building on existing facilities, as Liverpool has done with its Materials Innovation Factory, provides a competitive advantage.

Institutions can also benefit from monitoring UKRI’s Local Innovation Partnership Fund calls and engaging early with combined authorities to identify place-based priorities.