NIHR PROGRAMME

NIHR i4i Product Development Awards: Funding for UK Health Tech Innovation
funding

Funding support for collaborative medtech projects focused on translational development.

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The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Product Development Awards support the development of innovative medical technologies, diagnostics, and digital health solutions that address NHS needs and patient care challenges.

Managed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), this programme funds translational research to accelerate proof-of-concept innovations into clinical use.

Non-Dilutive Funding

Funding is 100% grant-based with no equity loss.

Market and Clinical Readiness

Support includes clinical validation, regulatory planning, and steps toward NHS implementation, ensuring innovations meet real-world demands.

End-to-End Support

From proposal development to post-award project delivery, expert guidance is available to help maximise your chances of success.

Flexible, Inclusive Criteria

Open to technologies with proof-of-concept and strong potential for patient benefit.

24–36

months of project duration

100%

grant-based funding

What you need
to know before
applying

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💡 Start early! Begin preparing your application 3–4 months before submission.

About the NIHR i4i Product Development Awards

The i4i Product Development Awards (PDA), funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), support the development of innovative medical technologies that address pressing healthcare needs within the NHS and beyond.

These awards fund the translation of early-stage innovations into products that can deliver real patient benefit, bridging the gap between concept and clinical use.

Eligible applicants

To be eligible for the i4i Product Development Awards, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • The lead organisation must be an SME, NHS organisation, or Higher Education Institution (HEI) established in England.
  • Collaborations are strongly encouraged, especially between industry, NHS clinicians, and academic researchers.
  • The proposed technology must already have demonstrated proof of concept (i.e., feasibility shown in a relevant setting).
  • Projects must target innovations within medical devices, diagnostics, or digital health technologies that can show potential for clinical benefit and NHS adoption.
  • The project team must demonstrate adequate expertise across scientific, technical, and commercial areas.

International partners may participate as collaborators, but the lead applicant must be based in England.

Funding
  • Funding is provided as a grant covering up to 100% of eligible project costs for SMEs, NHS organisations, and not-for-profits.
  • Higher Education Institutions are funded at 80% of Full Economic Costs (FEC).
  • There is no equity or repayment, and eligible costs may include staff time, materials, trials, subcontracting, and overheads.
  • There is no fixed maximum funding amount, but budgets must be well justified and proportionate to the project’s aims.
  • Typical project durations range from 2 to 3 years, depending on scope and complexity.
Eligible Activities

The NIHR i4i Product Development Awards support a broad range of activities essential to turning healthcare innovations into real-world products, including:

  • Product or prototype development (engineering, software, or hardware).
  • Clinical validation and usability testing within relevant NHS or clinical settings.
  • Regulatory pathway planning and intellectual property (IP) strategy development.
  • Health economics and market access analysis to demonstrate value to the NHS.
  • User and patient engagement, including co-design with clinicians and end-users.
Application process

Applications for i4i Product Development Awards follow a structured process managed through NIHR’s online application portal:

  1. Identify an Open Call: NIHR runs regular PDA funding rounds throughout the year.
  2. Register and Submit Online: Applications are submitted via the NIHR Research Management System (RMS).
  3. Internal Review: Eligibility and completeness checks are conducted by NIHR staff.
  4. Expert Panel Evaluation: Proposals are reviewed by independent panels of clinicians, academics, and industry experts assessing need, feasibility, and impact.
  5. Funding Decision: Successful applicants receive notification and detailed feedback.
  6. Project Onboarding: Funded projects enter the contracting and initiation phase, with NIHR support throughout delivery.
Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on their potential to deliver real-world healthcare impact and value for money. Core assessment areas include:

  • Clinical Need and Patient Benefit: Does the project address an unmet medical or system-level challenge within the NHS?
  • Innovation and Market Potential: Is the idea novel, and does it offer a clear competitive advantage?
  • Technical Feasibility and Team Expertise: Can the consortium deliver the proposed work successfully?
  • Implementation and Adoption Pathway: Is there a credible route to NHS integration and uptake?
  • Value for Money and Risk Management: Are resources well planned, and is the budget justified?

Projects that combine scientific excellence with strong implementation planning are the most competitive.

Eligible costs

Eligible costs for the NIHR i4i Product Development Awards typically include staff time, consumables, equipment, subcontracted services, clinical and regulatory activities, PPI, travel, and justified overheads.

How We Support Your NIHR i4i Product Development Award Application

  • Backed by PhDs, engineers, and finance experts, we provide structured guidance throughout the NIHR i4i Product Development Awards process.
  • We combine strategic insight with technical excellence to help innovators secure the right collaborative funding and manage their projects successfully.
Control de convocatorias (1)

1. Opportunity Scouting

We help you assess whether NIHR i4i is the right fit for your innovation, reviewing eligibility, clinical relevance, and development readiness. We also screen alternative funding opportunities and, when needed, guide partner identification and early technical, regulatory, and financial considerations.
Diagnóstico y preparación

2. Application Support

Obtención de ayuda (2)

3. Submission & Grant Agreement

We manage the full application submission process through the NIHR’s online system, ensuring all documentation is complete, compliant, and aligned with programme expectations. If revisions or clarifications are requested by NIHR, we support the response strategy and adjust the technical or financial components accordingly.

Gestión del proyecto (1)

4. Project Management

Once funded, we support smooth project delivery by monitoring KPIs, guiding reporting and audits, and facilitating communication with NIHR. We help maintain partner alignment, address challenges early, and ensure the project progresses as planned through to final reporting.

Need expert advice for your NIHR i4i Product Development Award application?

Our consultants guide you through everything you need to know about funding programmes, requirements, and winning strategies.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the NIHR i4i Product Development Awards (PDA).

What Does NIHR Stand For?

NIHR stands for the National Institute for Health and Care Research — the UK’s largest public funder of health and care research.

Its mission is to improve the nation’s health and wealth through research, supporting innovations that benefit patients, the public, and the NHS.

How Is the NIHR Funded?

The NIHR is funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) through annual government allocations.

This ensures that public investment directly supports research infrastructure, innovation, and evidence-based healthcare delivery across England and the wider UK.

What Is the Annual Budget of the NIHR?

The NIHR operates with an annual budget exceeding £1 billion, which is distributed across:

  • Research programmes (such as i4i, HTA, and HSDR)

  • Research infrastructure, including Biomedical Research Centres and Clinical Research Networks

  • Training and fellowships for researchers and healthcare professionals

  • Collaborations with industry and global research partners

Is the NIHR Part of the NHS?

While the NIHR works closely with the National Health Service (NHS), it is not part of the NHS.

Instead, it acts as a government-funded research organisation that supports and funds studies, trials, and innovation projects to improve NHS care and outcomes.
The NIHR plays a crucial role in translating research findings into practical healthcare solutions for NHS use.

When Is the Next NIHR i4i PDA Call?

NIHR runs regular funding calls for i4i PDA throughout the year.

Each call typically includes a submission window of several months followed by a three-stage review process.

Applicants should monitor the official NIHR funding portal for upcoming deadlines and announcements.

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