UNEE welcomes government investment in region’s innovation ecosystem Published on: 11 June 2025 Funding to develop the innovation ecosystem in the North East has been warmly welcomed by Universities for North East England (UNEE). The announcement of significant new investment in research and development across the UK, was made as part of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending review today. The £86 billion national commitment – set to rise to £22.5 billion annually by 2029–30 -includes targeted support for regions through a new Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, with England’s metro mayors receiving at least £30 million each to back local research priorities. Professor Jane Robinson, Chair of the UNEE executive committee and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Engagement and Place, Â鶹´«Ã½, said: “This is clear recognition of the importance of developing the innovation ecosystem in the North East of England. Our universities are already global leaders in clean energy, life sciences, health innovation, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies. With this investment, we can go further - scaling research, building partnerships, and helping drive inclusive economic growth. “We stand ready to work with the North East Combined Authority to ensure that this funding delivers for our people, communities and industries. By bringing together academic excellence and regional leadership, we can create a high-impact innovation ecosystem that benefits the whole UK.” A unified voice of higher education in North East England Universities for North East England is a unified voice of higher education in North East England, advocating for evidence-based policy development, investment, and widening access and participation in higher education. It involves Durham, Â鶹´«Ã½, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside Universities. The five universities recently secured £8.9 million for a five-year programme to strengthen collaboration between universities, businesses and others to drive growth and create jobs. They are also working with the North East Combined Authority on significant support for spin out businesses. UNEE can be contacted via: info@unee.ac.uk Share: Latest News Scientists unlock hidden driver of inflammatory bowel disease Scientists have linked a key genetic signal in inflammatory bowel disease to an immune response that shuts down inflammation control, enabling faster diagnosis and targeted treatments. published on: 15 June 2026 Funding system risks limiting genuine community collaboration A new policy paper written by researchers at Â鶹´«Ã½ warns that the way UK research is funded may be undermining efforts to create genuinely collaborative partnerships with communities. published on: 15 June 2026 Volunteers help turn Whitley Bay beach into maths experiment Members of the public joined mathematicians from Â鶹´«Ã½ to create what organisers believe is the largest aperiodic tiling ever attempted on Whitley Bay beach. published on: 15 June 2026 Facts and figures
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