Regulators Pioneer Fund Round 4
The Regulatory Innovation Office are currently preparing the next round of the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund (RPF). The RPF aims to create a regulatory environment that encourages business innovation and investment in the UK. We achieve this by funding regulator and local authority-led projects that test and trial new regulatory approaches. Organisations from all four nations are eligible to apply. The RPF has delivered three funding rounds to date. The first round invested up to £10 million in 14 regulator-led projects (2018-20), the second round invested up to £3.7 million in 21 regulator and local authority led projects (2021), and the third round invested up to £12 million in 24 regulator and local authority led projects (2022).
- Opening date:
- Closing date: (Midnight)
Contents
Summary
The Regulatory Innovation Office are currently preparing the next round of the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund (RPF). The RPF aims to create a regulatory environment that encourages business innovation and investment in the UK. We achieve this by funding regulator and local authority-led projects that test and trial new regulatory approaches. Organisations from all four nations are eligible to apply.
The RPF has delivered three funding rounds to date. The first round invested up to £10 million in 14 regulator-led projects (2018-20), the second round invested up to £3.7 million in 21 regulator and local authority led projects (2021), and the third round invested up to £12 million in 24 regulator and local authority led projects (2022).
Please note that funding is not guaranteed. DSIT reserves the right to amend the amounts specified or not award at all.
Eligibility
To be eligible for RPF funding you must be a body which meets the following three criteria:
exercises a ‘regulatory function’, as defined in section 32(2)-(4) of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006;
performs that regulatory function in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England or across the UK; and
is subject to and follows the guidance in HM Treasury’s Managing Public Money handbook, or, if not subject to that guidance, is able to demonstrate compliance with Managing Public Money principles with respect to any funding received from the RPF.
For the avoidance of doubt, Combined Authorities are eligible and can apply as lead applicant. Combined Authorities are defined as a legal body set up using national legislation that enables a group of two or more councils to collaborate and take and take collective decisions across council boundaries.
Only regulators and local authorities can apply as a lead applicant within an RPF funding application.
Objectives
The Regulators’ Pioneer Fund aims to support UK regulators and local authorities in adopting new and experimental regulatory approaches. The fund enables regulators and local authorities to act with impact, respond to innovation, and grasp emerging opportunities, thus supporting the growth and productivity of the UK economy.
Dates
Stakeholder Update Event: 8th of May 2025 Teams Link
Please refer to Find a Grant for future events to be held in the coming weeks.
How to apply
Keep checking Find a Grant, further information on how to apply will be provided in coming weeks.
Supporting information
Keep checking Find a Grant, further information will be provided in coming weeks.