The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds, enables and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people’s health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth.

Funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), NIHR focuses on the elements of the ‘innovation pathway’ from early ‘translational’ research, translating discoveries from the laboratory to the clinic, through clinical research and on to applied health and social care research.

In 2024 the NIHR awarded £42 million over five years to 14 HealthTech Research Centres (HRCs) across England. The HRCs are centres of expertise which drive life-changing research into health technologies. We also bring together patients, clinicians, researchers, commissioners and industry. As one of the 14 HRCs, we work with businesses to support the development of medical devices, diagnostics and digital technologies.

Find out more about the NIHR HRCs

Find out more about NIHR support for healthtech innovations

Find out more about NIHR organisations in the North East and North Cumbria region