Putting Knowledge To Work For An Enterprising Countryside
The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) puts knowledge to work for an enterprising countryside.
We build and apply evidence, working with businesses, communities, policymakers and support organisations to find new ways of unlocking potential and supporting thriving rural businesses and communities.
Rural economies make a substantial contribution to growth, innovation and resilience. Yet their needs and potential can be overlooked in mainstream policy, investment and business support.
NICRE helps address this by combining robust evidence with practical innovation. We work with partners to understand the opportunities and challenges facing rural businesses and places, co-design and test new approaches, and share learning to help inform policy and practice.
Our work covers areas including business growth and resilience, innovation, net zero, digital adoption, community development and place-based economic development.
NICRE was established with funding from Research England and is led by Newcastle University. We build on the strengths of our founding university partners: Newcastle University’s Centre for Rural Economy and Business School, Enterprise Research Centre at Warwick University and the Countryside and Community Research Institute at the University of Gloucestershire and Royal Agricultural University.
Our work is now backed by a growing mix of funders and partners. We collaborate with communities, businesses, local authorities, governments and researchers to support rural innovation, and we’re always keen to work with others who want to make a difference in rural places.
New Evidence On Rural Innovation
One recent example of our work is a significant new body of evidence exploring the opportunities and barriers facing rural innovation. The Catalysing Rural Innovation findings challenge assumptions about the innovative capacity of rural businesses. Rural firms are as likely to innovate as their urban counterparts but can face greater difficulties turning innovation into commercial success.
The evidence highlights the importance of recognising the diversity of rural economies and developing more place-sensitive approaches to innovation policy and support. It is timely for organisations including government departments, UK Research and Innovation, Innovate UK and Strategic Authorities as they consider how innovation can contribute to growth across the country.
NICRE at the National Rural Conference 2026
NICRE is pleased to support the Rural Services Network’s National Rural Conference 2026 and the opportunity it provides to bring rural leaders, policymakers and practitioners together.
On Monday 14 September, Professor Matthew Gorton, NICRE’s Deputy Director, will contribute to the Rural Economy and Regeneration programme with a presentation on Catalysing Rural Innovation and Growth, sharing insights from this work and its implications for innovation policy and support.
We look forward to joining the conversations taking place throughout the conference and exploring how evidence and practical innovation can support more prosperous, sustainable and resilient rural economies.
Find out more about NICRE and explore our latest evidence, projects and resources www.nicre.co.uk.
