The Tay Cities Region Deal is inviting new proposals for innovation and regeneration as part of a reshaping exercise, opening fresh opportunities for ambitious projects that could play a key role in the region’s future.
Backed by an investment of £300 million over 10 years from the UK and Scottish Governments, alongside additional funding in leverage by regional partners, the deal is focused on supporting economic growth, driving innovation, improving productivity, developing skills, and creating jobs across the region.
Five years on from the signing of the £300 million regional deal, the Tay Cities Partnership has delivered significant economic growth and accelerated investment across the region. Major successes include the multi award-winning Perth Museum and the 5G Digital Testbeds project, as well as the transformation of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, attracting more than 100,000 visitors annually.
Other successful projects include the International Barley Hub and Advanced Plant Growth Centre, both based at the James Hutton Institute, the Abertay cyberQuarter centre for cybersecurity research and development based at Abertay University, and the D’Arcy Thompson Simulator Centre, based at the University of St Andrews’ Eden Campus, which also received funding. Tay Cities cash has also supported Rural Angus and Rural Perth & Kinross High Speed Broadband and the Broxden Low Carbon Hub which will be completed this financial year.
As the partnership reaches the halfway point of the 10-year deal, a formal review is underway to assess progress and ensure continued delivery in a changing economic environment. The review may identify projects that are no longer able to progress within the original timescales, creating space for new, high-impact proposals to come forward.
The Tay Cities Partnership is now seeking visionary and ambitious projects that align with its aim to create a fairer, smarter Tay Cities region. New proposals must request a minimum of £5 million in capital funding from the Region Deal.
Organisations with eligible projects are encouraged to review the criteria available on the Tay Cities Region Deal website (see the Strategic Outline Case Guidance and Template) and contact the relevant local authority for early discussions. Strategic Outline Business Cases must be submitted by 13 March 2026.
Funding Criteria
This funding opportunity is for new projects only and not for current projects or to extend current projects within the Deal.
The prospective new projects should align with the aims and vision of the Deal Document, the Regional Economic Strategy and Prospectus for Regional Growth.
The project proposer should read the full guidance document and ensure that they are able to comply with all deadlines and requirements before submitting a Strategic Outline Case.
The submission of a Strategic Outline Case does not guarantee funding from the Tay Cities Region Deal or any other future funding opportunities. Decisions on funding from the Deal will be taken by the regional Partnership and governments, with an announcement made by elected members and ministers next year. All projects are subject to the development and approval of an HM Treasury Green Book Business Case.
The deadline for submission of a Strategic Outline Case is 13th March 2026. Please contact the relevant Local Authority Contact about any project proposals ahead of your submission.
Angus Council – Mark Davidson DavidsonMa@angus.gov.uk
Dundee City Council – Ross Mackenzie ross.mackenzie@dundeecity.gov.uk
Fife Council – Paul Vaughan Paul.vaughan@fife.gov.uk
Perth & Kinross Council – Steven Macdonald stevenmacdonald@pkc.gov.uk
About the Tay Cities Region Deal
The Tay Cities Region Deal is a partnership between local, Scottish and UK governments and the private, academic and voluntary sectors which seeks to create a smarter and fairer Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perth & Kinross under the headings Inclusive Tay; Innovative Tay; International Tay; Connected Tay and An Empowered Tay.
The Scottish Government and UK Government will each invest up to £150 million in the Tay Cities Region Deal over 10 years, subject to final approval of robust business cases.
As of 30 September 2024, over £231 million has been approved by Governments and the Partnership for investment, and over 2,541 jobs have been created.
This central investment from both Governments has the potential to lever in £400m investment over 15 years, of which more than £180million has already been secured by Projects.
Full and further information on the progress the Deal has made to date on securing investment and jobs, can be found within the Annual Performance Report located on the Tay Cities Region Deal website - https://www.taycities.co.uk/publications.
