The government just announced £5.5 million in funding to support projects that the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) will streamline to reduce bureaucracy.
David Willetts, head of the RIO, took on his role in March. His mission? To cut red tape and speed up the process of bringing new technologies to market. He’s focused on creating regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation, aligning with Labour’s goal to quickly and safely introduce the UK’s most promising technologies while boosting economic growth.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is offering funding between £50,000 and £1 million for projects led by regulators or local authorities. These projects will run for six to twelve months and must begin between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. Applications are due by July 31, 2025, and funding will be awarded starting October 1, 2025.
This is the fourth round of funding. In the last round, funds helped Milton Keynes test drone deliveries for urgent medical supplies and environmental monitoring. They conducted low-risk test flights and used sensors to track the drones’ paths, making it safer to approve these services.
Shanika Mahendran from Milton Keynes City Council said, “Thanks to the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund, we’ve started laying the groundwork for using drones more efficiently. It’s allowed us to examine the safety checks and regulations needed for long-term use.”
Another notable project from the last funding round involved the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which explored synthetic data in clinical trials. They replaced some placebo participants with computer-generated data, making trials quicker and more inclusive while ensuring safety.
Puja Myles from the MHRA shared, “The RPF grant has helped us understand when synthetic data could boost clinical trial sample sizes. This project supports our aim to innovate and embrace new technologies in clinical trials, getting new treatments to patients faster.”
The fourth round of the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund is open to regulators and local authorities across the UK, focusing on areas like AI in healthcare, engineering biology, space, and autonomous vehicles.
Science Minister Patrick Vallance emphasized, “Smarter, more agile regulation is essential for getting ideas to market quickly while maintaining public confidence in new technologies. These projects demonstrate how regulators can collaborate with industry to unlock breakthroughs, from autonomous drones aiding emergency services to AI reducing costs and time in clinical trials.”