New Round of Government Fund for UK Regulatory Innovation Projects

The fourth round of the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund is now open for applications. The initiative supports regulatory and local authority-led projects that aim to create a UK regulatory environment that encourages innovation and investment.

Approximately £5.5 million is available for short-term projects lasting between six and twelve months. Individual awards will range from £50,000 to £1 million. Eligible applicants include regulators and local authorities operating in the UK who meet specific public accountability and regulatory function criteria.

The programme seeks proposals that apply new thinking, methods or technologies to improve regulatory delivery and performance. Projects must take a research and experimentation-led approach and are encouraged to involve partnerships across regulators, local authorities, industry, civil society and academia.

Proposals that address cross-cutting issues or deliver more joined-up services to business will be prioritised.

Funding may support projects in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence in healthcare, engineering biology, space and autonomous vehicles. Example activities include smarter testing of new medical treatments, regulatory approaches for drone airspace management or frameworks for lab-grown foods.

The deadline for applications is 31 July 2025 (23:59).