Oxford University is part of the consortium bidding for the cash

The county and city councils, both universities and the Arts Council England have united to get funding for their Evolving City programme.

Projects will promote artists, science, communities and festivals.

The consortium is the same that failed in 2003 to lead Oxford to the European Capital of Culture 2008 title.

The city was beaten, along with Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Newcastle-Gateshead, by Liverpool.

The Oxford Inspires team said the Evolving City programme would go ahead with or without the Lottery money.

'Benefit different communities'

One of the projects in the bid is to bring artists to Oxford from the new EU countries, for a series of creative learning and environmental projects on the Blackbird Leys, Rose Hill and Barton estates.

Robert Hutchison, chief executive of Oxford Inspires, said: "We are confident that the bid we have put together will, if successful, benefit many different communities and individuals in Oxford.

"We hope too that many of the project proposals that didn't find their way into the bid may still be able to happen with support from other sources."

The result of the bid is due to be announced in July.