Regulators Pioneer Fund Round 4

To be eligible for RPF funding you must be a body which meets the following three criteria:  

1. exercises a ‘regulatory function’, as defined in section 32(2)-(4) of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006; 

2. performs that regulatory function in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England or across the UK; and 

3. 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.

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.

The RPF 4 competition launched on 22 May 2025 and is open for applications. The deadline to submit RPF 4 applications is 31 July 2025 at 23:59 BST.  

The deadline for clarification questions from applicants is Thursday 19 June 2025.  

• We will publish clarification questions and answers by Friday 13 June for questions received prior to, or on Thursday 5 June

• We will publish clarification questions and answers by Friday 27 June for questions received prior to, or on Thursday 19 June 

• We will respond to commercially sensitive questions directly and not publish on GOV.UK

You can access the RPF 4 competition brief and application form at the RPF4 Gov.uk webpage:

Regulators' Pioneer Fund Round 4

If you were unable to attend the Launch Event on the 22nd of May 2025, please find attached the slide pack, which includes all the information presented at the live event. 

Please find all relevant competition materials including the competition brief and application form at the below gov.uk webpage:

Regulators' Pioneer Fund Round 4

Clarification questions should be sent to the regulators.pioneerfund@DSIT.gov.uk mailbox. 

The deadline for clarification questions from applicants is Thursday 19 June 2025.  

• We will publish clarification questions and answers by Friday 13 June for questions received prior to, or on Thursday 5 June

• We will publish clarification questions and answers by Friday 27 June for questions received prior to, or on Thursday 19 June 

• We will respond to commercially sensitive questions directly and not publish on GOV.UK