University of York to drive regional innovation and growth with new Mayoral funding

Posted on Thursday 23 October 2025

The new funding will help boost the regional economy, creative industries, and local communities.

The projects for regional growth are:

• BioYorkshire: The ‘Growing York and North Yorkshire's Bioeconomy Cluster’ project will connect and support over 150 regional partners and businesses. It aims to accelerate research, commercialisation, and business growth by fostering a world-class bioeconomy ecosystem through networking, knowledge exchange and national and international advocacy to attract investment.

• Convergent Technologies in the Creative Industries: This project will establish a cluster to connect the creative industries with high-tech sectors like AI, data science and robotics. It will foster a two-way exchange, where advanced technologies will help to unlock new creative products, while creative expertise in design and user experience will enhance innovation in high-growth tech industries, speeding up cutting-edge development and boosting regional economic growth.

• Extending XR: Led by XR Stories, this two-year programme will deliver vital technology skills training to people working in the creative industries across the region. The project will focus on immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and virtual production (VP), alongside AI tools. The project will also train people to become trainers themselves, so they can keep sharing these skills with others in the future.

• Walmgate Re-framed: Funded by the Vibrant & Sustainable High Street Fund, this project builds on the work of the Walmgate Improvement plan. It will use art and creative projects to celebrate the community's unique identity. The initiative aims to make Walmgate a more exciting place to visit, increase footfall and help local cultural, creative, and digital businesses to grow.

• The University is also a key partner in two new projects to accelerate innovation and growth within the region's rail sector.

Working closely with partners and collaborators, the University is helping to shape opportunities that deliver significant economic, social, and cultural benefits for everyone in York and North Yorkshire. 

Professor Sarah Thompson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of York, said: "We are very excited to partner with the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority to bring these ambitious projects to life. This investment highlights the crucial role the University plays as an engine for regional growth and innovation.

“These initiatives are built on core areas of our research expertise – from the creative industries to the bioeconomy – and they directly align with our mission to be a University for public good. By translating our expertise into new jobs, vital skills and cultural enrichment, we are working alongside our partners to help build a thriving and resilient future for everyone who lives and works in our region."