(NU/1496-1) North East Cluster for Healthy Ageing & Independent Living (NE-CHAIN): Business Case Development

The UK Government announced the Strength in Places Fund in the Industrial Strategy White Paper, published in November 2017, recognising that there are large regional disparities that need to be addressed in order for there to be prosperous communities across the UK. The White Paper highlighted the important roles science, research, innovation and skills provision play in driving productivity and economic growth throughout the regions and nations of the UK. THE UKRI Strength n Places Fund therefore forms part of the activity undertaken as part of the national Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF) will be contributing to the UK Government's target to reach 2.4% of GDP investment in R&D by 2027.

The White Paper recognised "There is a world class R&D an innovation across the UK, from excellent research in university departments and public research organisations to investments from leading businesses. We need to capitalise on these strengths and foster the local ecosystems that can support innovation and sustained growth."

The UKRI Strength in Places Fund (SIPF) is a new competitive funding scheme that takes a place-based approach to research and innovation funding. It will be driven by business need that can be met by existing research strengths. Funding is allocated in waves to fund collaborative bids from consortia of publicly-funded research organisations, businesses, and local leadership. Successful projects will undertake a flexible range of research and innovation interventions that will have a demonstrable impact on local economic growth.

The North East Cluster for Healthy Ageing and Independent Living (NE-CHAIN) was successful in the wave 1 round of Strength In Places Fund (SIPF); one of twenty four nationally. Newcastle University, together with its Partners, are seeking to procure a consultant to support the business case development; to undertake to the standard of "HM Treasury The Green Book - Appraisal and Evaluation in Central Government".