Prime Minister David Cameron has praised communities for coming together to put together their “transformational” City Deal bids.
The Aberdeen and Inverness City Deal bids were among 38 devolution proposals put forward to the UK Government.
During a speech in Yorkshire, David Cameron said around 25 submissions had been expected, 13 less than the final number.
Each will now be considered as part of the UK Government’s Spending Review process.
The Press and Journal revealed this week the details of the blueprint sent to UK and Scottish ministers as part of Aberdeen’s application to secure a £2.9billion deal.
It aims to transform the north-east’s transport system, unlock new housing schemes and create world-leading research facilities.
Aberdeen City council leader Jenny Laing, and Aberdeenshire Council’s co-leader Martin Kitts-Hayes, signed off the statement of intent before sending it to the two administrations.
Inverness civic chiefs hope £300million can be raised for major infrastructure. An initial investment of £3million to convert part of Inverness Castle into a tourist attraction and installing a public Wi-Fi network in the city centre were agreed last month.
“Local people have really seized this opportunity and put forward transformational proposals,” Mr Cameron said.
“A striking feature of so many submissions is how civic leaders and business leaders, neighbouring councils and important institutions like universities have joined forces to make a united offer.
“Money spent closer is often money spent wiser and we’re going to take this agenda to the next level.
“So we will see through our commitments to Scotland and Wales to give them the extra powers they want and we will spread that initiative right across England too.”
Chancellor George Osborne said the “ground-breaking deal” with Greater Manchester illustrated what can be done by working together, adding: “The challenge is now to make this happen in other great cities.”
A total of 26 City Deals have been confirmed across the UK since 2010, but Glasgow is the only area in Scotland to have achieved the status.
The 38 proposals include areas which have already agreed deals seeking further devolved powers.