University Enterprise Zones
Updated 8 March 2019
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About University Enterprise Zones (UEZs)
University Enterprise Zones (UEZs) are specific geographical areas where universities and business work together to increase local growth and innovation.
The zones aim to:
- encourage universities to strengthen their roles as strategic partners in local growth to engage with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), building on existing capabilities and partnerships
- stimulate development of incubator or ‘grow-on’ space for small businesses in locations that encourage businesses to interact with universities and to innovate
UEZs have access to business support packages and the specialist facilities and expert knowledge offered by universities. They also work with the Department for International Trade (DIT) to promote inward investment.
New funding for UEZs 2019
On 28 February 2019, Treasury Minister Robert Jenrick and Science Minister, Chris Skidmore launched the £10 million fund during a visit to the existing UEZ at Nottingham University. The new scheme is funded through £5 million from the Research England Development (RED) Fund, with Chancellor Philip Hammond providing an extra £5 million at the 2018 Budget to allow up to 10 further UEZs to be established across England.
Universities interested in establishing a new University Enterprise Zone can now submit their proposals to Research England.
Closing date: 11 April 2019, 12.00
UEZ pilot scheme 2014
BEIS provided £15 million in capital funding between 2014 to 2017 to fund 4 pilot UEZs. For every £1 of government funding, the universities were required to raise £2 of match funding.
The 4 successful bids were announced by the Chancellor George Osborne on 3 July 2014. The sites were:
- Bradford (Leeds City Region)
- Bristol
- Liverpool
- Nottingham
A fifth facility at the Bradfield centre in Cambridge was opened in July 2017 and received £4.8 million in funding from BEIS. Though not technically part of the UEZ pilot, it is similar in its aims and objectives so will be evaluated alongside the UEZs.
The pilots will be fully evaluated at the end of the scheme in 2023 with an interim evaluation in 2018 to 2019.