Collaborate with the NIHR HRC in Diagnostic and Technology Evaluation and North East Innovation Lab for NIHR Invention for Innovation Connect funding.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) will launch the next Invention for Innovation (i4i) Connect Call on 18 February 2025. This funding competition supports small and medium-sized enterprises, registered in the UK, with up to £150,000 to develop health technologies.

The NIHR HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) in Diagnostic and Technology Evaluation and North East Innovation Lab work closely together to deliver high quality evidence for diagnostics.

We have previously helped companies successfully apply to this scheme and can support an application as either a co-applicant, collaborator, or sub-contractor.

How can the NIHR HRC support you?

The NIHR HRC has a highly skilled team of methodologists who efficiently evaluate new diagnostics.

Our support includes:

• Design and statistical analysis of lab validation or first-in-human studies
• Engaging with decision-makers and users to identify the best clinical use and patient population for your diagnostic
• Health economics to explore the potential impact of your diagnostic on the healthcare system

We can also help to write the funding application and provide advice including project management and plans for patient and public involvement.

We are particularly interested in receiving enquiries that are looking to address health inequalities within our three clinical themes of:

• Ageing and Multiple Long-Term Conditions
• Infection
• Precision Medicine and Rare Diseases

How can the North East Innovation Lab support you?

The North East Innovation Lab team includes life scientists, methodologists, clinical research nurses and commercial and quality managers. The team offers a range of specialist laboratory expertise including:

• Independent evaluation and validation of diagnostic tests, including assessment of analytical performance
• Access to clinical samples through a biobank; including stored materials and bespoke collections with their associated meta data
• Access to specialist laboratory space and equipment and clinicians and patients at Newcastle Hospitals

If you are interested in applying to the NIHR i4i Connect Call with us, please get in touch by 4 February 2025.

This will allow us sufficient time to start developing an application and associated costings with you.

The image below shows the timeline for the competition and when each stage opens and closes.

Our e-mail addresses are: nihr.hrc-dxtecheval@newcastle.ac.uk and nuth.enquiries.innovationlab@nhs.net

Visit the NIHR website for more information about the funding competition.