Securing funding is often crucial in transforming innovative healthcare ideas into real-world solutions. Whether you’re developing medical devices, diagnostics, digital health technologies or novel therapeutics, the right funding can help you advance your project—from proof-of-concept and preclinical testing to real-world validation and market adoption.
“Securing funding for health tech innovators, startups, and SMEs is one of our key focus areas. With expert guidance, we help navigate the landscape, and our success in grants and partnerships speaks for itself—partners trust us and return for support.” – James Rose, Director of Strategic and Industry Partnerships.
Explore the latest funding opportunities below and discover how we can support your application.
NIHR i4i Thrive: Supporting Early-Stage MedTech Innovation
The i4i Thrive funding stream is designed to accelerate the translation of healthcare innovations that address health inequalities, helping to move solutions from bench to bedside more quickly. The programme supports projects that drive patient benefit while fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among researchers and clinicians.
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Funding available: Up to £150,000
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Who can apply: UK-based academics and clinicians with innovations at prototype development level (Technology Readiness Level (TRL 3)) and above
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Project duration: 9 months
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Opening date: 14 April 2025 at 1:00 pm
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Closing date: 16 May 2025 at 1:00 pm
Why apply? This funding offers crucial early support to help SMEs strengthen their value proposition, generate key data, and position themselves for larger funding rounds or commercialisation.
Find out more about i4i Thrive.
NIHR i4i Product Development Awards (PDA) April 2025
The i4i PDA programme is designed to de-risk and accelerate healthcare innovations, making them more attractive for follow-on investment and NHS adoption. It funds projects from proof-of-concept through to real-world validation, ensuring a smooth pathway toward commercialisation.
- Who can apply: Collaborative research teams developing medical devices, in vitro diagnostics or digital health solutions
- Entry point: Experimental proof-of-concept or laboratory-validated technology
- Exit point: Validated technology or performance in real-world settings
- Funding available: No maximum—projects should be ambitious and high-impact
- Project duration: Up to 36 months
- Deadline: 28 May 2025
Why apply? This funding stream covers projects from preclinical development to real-world evaluation, providing the support needed to bring cutting-edge technologies into the NHS and social care systems.
Find out more about i4i Product Development Awards.
UKRI Proof of Concept
The UKRI Proof of Concept funding opportunity is designed to support researchers in accelerating the commercialisation of their innovations. This funding helps de-risk projects, refine commercialisation strategies, and bring research closer to market applications.
- Who can apply: Researchers, postdoctoral researchers, research assistants, research fellows, support staff, and technology transfer professionals from UKRI-eligible research organisations
- Funding available: £100,000–£250,000 (UKRI funds 80% of the total project cost)
- Deadline: 29 May 2025
Why apply? If you have a research innovation that requires early-to-mid stage commercialisation support—such as prototype development, market validation, or regulatory pathway assessment—this funding can provide critical resources to bridge the gap between research and commercial impact.
Find out more about the UKRI Proof of Concept funding.
MRC-NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme
This funding call invites proposals to explore and evaluate non-pharmacological interventions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Projects should develop and test novel approaches to either the diagnosis or treatment of ADHD, with a focus on clinical effectiveness, feasibility, and potential for NHS uptake.
- Who can apply: Applications with significant industry involvement beyond monetary or in-kind contributions are particularly welcome
- Funding available: No set upper limit for cost of applications, however value for money will be a key consideration
- Deadline: 5 August 2025
Why apply? This is an opportunity to address unmet needs in ADHD care by developing innovative, scalable alternatives to current pharmacological treatments—helping to reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for children and adults living with ADHD.
Find out more about this funding.
How we can support your funding application
Applying for funding can be complex and competitive, but we’re here to help. Our team of experts provides tailored advice and practical support to strengthen your application, including:
- Strategic guidance – Ensuring your project aligns with funding priorities and clearly demonstrates impact.
- Health economic analysis – Showcasing the clinical and financial value of your innovation.
- Stakeholder engagement – Connecting you with key partners and running workshops to refine your approach.
- Data analysis – Strengthening your case with robust evidence.
- Feasibility studies – Assessing your project’s viability and market potential.
Need help preparing your application? Complete our enquiry form and let’s work together to secure the funding you need to bring your innovation to life.
[Now closed] AI for Healthcare Challenge
Oxford Science Enterprises has launched the AI for Healthcare Challenge, offering funding and expert support to drive AI-based innovations in healthcare. If you’re developing AI-driven solutions with high patient impact and commercial potential, this funding could help accelerate your journey.
- Who can apply: Researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, and students from: University of Oxford, Oxford University Hospitals, Harwell and Culham Science Parks and the wider Oxford innovation ecosytem
- Funding available: Support varies based on project needs and can include:
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- funding for technical feasibility studies, market gap analysis, IP strategy, and regulatory pathways
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- a pathway to pre-seed or seed investment into a newly formed entity
- Scope: AI-powered innovations that can transform diagnostics, personalised medicine and operational efficiency in healthcare
- Deadline: 3 March 2025
Why apply? If your innovation leverages AI to solve critical healthcare challenges, this programme provides both funding and strategic support to help you scale and commercialise your technology.
Find out more about the AI for Healthcare Challenge.
[Now closed] NIHR i4i Connect Call 9
Designed for SMEs developing medical devices, in vitro diagnostics or digital health technologies, this funding supports early-stage projects on their way to market. It’s an excellent opportunity for companies looking to bridge the gap between initial development and securing follow-on investment.
- Funding available: £50,000–£150,000
- Project duration: 6–12 months
- Who can apply: UK-based SMEs with innovative healthcare technologies
- Deadline: 18 March 2025
Why Apply? This funding helps you refine your innovation, generate early evidence, and position yourself for larger funding rounds or commercialisation.
Find out more about i4i Connect Call 9.
[Now closed] Medical Research Council
The Medical Research Council (MRC) is offering funding for projects at any stage of the development pathway—from early discovery and pre-clinical refinement to early-phase clinical trials (up to Phase 2a). If you’re developing a new therapeutic, medical device, or diagnostic, this funding could be a game-changer.
- Funding available: No maximum (MRC typically funds up to 80% of total project cost)
- Who can apply: Researchers at MRC-eligible organisations
- Scope: Supports projects from early development through to clinical trials
- Deadline: 19 March 2025
Why apply? MRC funding provides critical support to help turn cutting-edge research into clinical applications, bridging the gap between innovation and real-world impact.
Find out more about Medical Research Council funding.
[Now closed] NIHR i4i Fast
The i4i Fast Awards provide rapid funding to support the development of innovative medical technologies. This scheme is designed to accelerate early-stage projects, helping to generate the preliminary data needed for further investment and development. It welcomes applications to support the development of health technologies to reduce community and hospital waiting lists for children and young people, including those with learning disabilities, seeking mental healthcare or neurodevelopmental assessment.
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Funding available: £50,000 to £100,000
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Who can apply: SMEs, NHS organisations, and universities developing medical devices, diagnostics, or digital health solutions
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Project duration: 6-12 months
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Closing date: 16 April 2025
Why apply? The Fast Awards offer a streamlined application process and quick funding decisions, making them ideal for accelerating early-stage innovations.
[Now closed] NIHR NICE rolling funding opportunity (HTA Programme)
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), in collaboration with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), invites applications for its rolling funding opportunity under the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme. This initiative seeks to generate high-quality evidence to inform NICE guidance across various health and social care topics.
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Funding available: No fixed upper limit; budgets should be appropriate to the scope of the proposed research.
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Closing date: 7 May 2025
Why apply? This is an opportunity to contribute to the evidence base that shapes NICE guidelines, directly impacting healthcare policy and practice in the UK.