i4i Connect: Funding Available for SMEs Developing MedTech Projects

The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme will launch the fifth round of its Connect Awards on 17^th August 2021. This round will have two funding streams: 1) Connect awards and 2) Children and Young People’s Mental Health Awards.

i4i Connect provides funding for SMEs developing medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and digital health technologies which have a clear patient benefit and are intended for NHS use. The funding is to help companies reach the next stage in the development pathway. This will enable them to apply for further funding, such as the i4i Product Development Award.

Eligibility Criteria

• Projects must be led by an SME
• The lead applicant must be based in England
• The project value must be between £50,000 and £150,000
• Projects must last 6-12 months
• Applicants need to demonstrate evidence of proof-of-concept
• Projects should address a clearly defined unmet clinical need
• The project must start between 1^st January 2021 and 1^st March 2021

Application Process

i4i Connect has a two-stage application process:

• Stage 1 – Expression of Interest
• Stage 2 – Business Plan and video pitch

Firstly, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest form by 14^th September 2021. Applicants will be notified of their submission outcome in October and, if successful, they can proceed to Stage 2.

Stage 2 requires applicants to submit a business plan with a maximum of 15 pages and a 3-minute video pitch by 2^nd November. This will be reviewed by the i4i Connect Selection Committee, and applicants will be notified of their submission outcome later in November.

More Information

You can find more information in the competition document. If you are looking for bid writing support and would like to arrange a free consultation with a member of our team, get in touch today.

Sign up for RedKnight’s monthly newsletter in order to receive the latest opportunities direct to your inbox.

by Jonny O'Rourke

DASA Launches £2 Million ‘Space to Innovate’ Campaign

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has launched a ‘Space to Innovate’ campaign in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Space Programme.

The campaign aims to promote space resilience and operational effectiveness. Therefore, it seeks proposals for the development of new space technologies that will enhance and protect space military and civil potential. In contrast to other DASA competitions, the ‘Space to Innovate’ campaign comprises space-related challenges that will be released in “drops” throughout 2021 and 2022.

Alpha Challenge Drop

The first challenge drop is open until 4^th August 2021. It focuses on two challenges:

Challenge 1: Visualisation tools to enable space operators to exploit information gathered from multiple data sources

Firstly, DASA is looking for novel solutions that could help to address the following issues:

• enhancing the situational awareness around an object
• understanding and monitoring manoeuvres and changes of objects in orbit
• streamlining ingestion issues with multiple data sources and different naming conventions
• using machine learning to enhance our understanding and interrogation of the data presented & make sense of results
• visualising uncertainty in data

Contracts of up to £125,000 are available for projects that last no longer than six months. By the end of the contract, projects should reach TRL 3-6.

Challenge 2: Novel methods for characterising objects in space and their intent

Secondly, DASA is interested in proposals that help to characterise objects in space and their intent, including:

• detecting changes of state (e.g. translational manoeuvres, transmissions, attitude changes, form factors, spawned objects, ‘active / inactive’) and predicting future changes
• exploiting non-traditional sensor configurations including bi- or multi-static configurations and the repurposing of existing facilities
• technologies that allow resolution of individual features on an observed satellite, inferring information regarding payloads
• observing the interaction and cooperation between satellites in formation in LEO or geostationary Earth orbit (GEO)
• satellite overflight warning of Earth observation missions (featuring electro-optical, synthetic aperture radar, electronic intelligence or other technologies) primarily in LEO
• asset protection for high-value satellites operating in GEO

Funded projects should again reach TRL 3-6. Contracts of up to £125,000, £200,000 and £400,000 are available for this challenge, depending on project length.

For more information on both of the challenges, please see the competition document. If you’re thinking of applying but need bid writing support, contact us to arrange a free consultation.

Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter in order to receive the latest grant funding opportunities direct to your inbox.

by Jonny O'Rourke

Funding available to reduce the impact of offshore windfarms on UK air defence

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has announced Phase 2 of the Windfarm Mitigation for UK Air Defence competition. They will invest up to £3.6 million in innovations that permit the coexistence of offshore windfarms and UK air defence surveillance systems.

Background

Offshore wind is a key feature of the UK’s net zero future. In the 2019 ‘Net Zero’ legislation, the Committee on Climate Change predicted a requirement for at least 75GW of electricity from offshore wind by 2050 (Source: DASA). To achieve this, there will need to be a ten-fold increase in the UK’s current offshore windfarm generation capacity. However, this has the potential to negatively impact military air defence – thus, DASA is seeking innovations to make co-existence possible.

Eligibility

Applicants should recognise that this is the second phase of a multi-phase competition. While you don’t have to have been involved in Phase 1 to apply, you should be aware of the successful projects from the previous competition. In contrast to Phase 1, Phase 2 projects will reach a higher level of maturity. Individual proposals should not exceed £600k and, if successful, all work should be completed by 28^th February 2023.

Scope

Proposals should address the challenge of maintaining the effective surveillance of airspace, despite the presence of larger windfarms. DASA is interested in alternative technologies that could fulfill one or more of the following objectives:

• Reduce radar clutter caused by offshore windfarms
• Ensure intruder detection in the vicinity of offshore windfarms
• Fill or remove gaps in radar coverage created by windfarms

Projects may involve some of the following components: alternative turbine materials; shaping of turbine materials; next generation or novel signal processing techniques; alternative technologies or combinations of these that would maintain the effective surveillance of airspace. In addition, the competition document contains a list of projects that DASA will not fund, including those that deliver technologies below TRL 4.

You can find more information in the competition document or contact us if you have any further questions. If this isn't the opportunity you're looking for, subscribe to our free monthly newsletter in order to receive the latest funding competitions direct to your inbox!

by Jonny O'Rourke

NIHR i4i Product Development Awards

Applications are now open for the i4i Product Development Awards (PDA), run by the National Institute for Health Research. The PDA support translational research and development of medical devices, in vitro diagnostics, and high-impact patient-focused digital health technologies.

Application Process

All competitions under the i4i programme have a two-stage application process - only those successful at Stage 1 will receive an invite to proceed to Stage 2. Stage 1 opened on 14^th April and will close on 9^th June, with applicants set to receive the results of their submission by 10^th August. Then, Stage 2 will launch with a deadline of 28^th September.

Eligibility Criteria

Firstly, all projects must have demonstrated proof of concept and have a clear pathway towards adoption and commercialisation. They should last between 24 and 36 months. Applications can be led by SMEs, NHS providers or higher education institutions. However, eligible collaborations must consist of at least two types of organisation from the above list. For example, an SME may work in collaboration with an NHS service provider. In addition, the lead organisation must be registered in England.

The following activities may be eligible for funding from the Product Development Awards:

• Research and development of medical devices and in vitro diagnostic devices across all areas of existing or emerging healthcare need
• Digital health technologies that fall under Tier 3 of the NICE Evidence Framework for Digital Health Technologies, and that are focused on patient outcomes and intended for ultimate NHS use
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies including Augmented or Ambient Intelligence, applied in areas of health and social care including health promotion and prevention, diagnosis and treatment
• Product development required to enable a technology for clinical use
• Research and development of techniques or technologies from a different industry sector, which could have a potential impact if applied in a healthcare setting
• Feasibility studies if developing a technology from a sector other than health
• Studies to provide data relating to safety and effectiveness of a device
• Clinical utility studies
• CE/UKCA marking and other regulatory requirements
• Activities associated with the technology’s market access strategy
• Training associated with the implementation of new technology

RedKnight’s team of grant funding consultants has over 50 years’ combined experience, accessing more than £50 million. If you’d like our help applying to the Product Development Awards, please get in touch.

Not the opportunity you’re looking for? You can find alternative competitions on our blog and in our free monthly newsletter.

by Jonny O'Rourke

DASA: Funding available to address challenges in defence and security

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is a cross-government organisation, set up in 2016. The organisation provides grant funding for projects that support UK defence and security quickly and effectively.

Open Call for Innovation

DASA runs a regular open funding competition to find proposals that address challenges in defence and security. Ideas should be either a concept, technology, or service; if your proposal is a product, you should instead speak to the Defence Suppliers Service.

There are two main categories within DASA’s Open Call for Innovation:

1. Emerging Innovations

Firstly, this category is for less mature innovations. Typical projects will deliver a proof of concept at around TRL 3 or 4. In order to determine where your project sits on this scale, read our introduction to TRLs. There is no funding limit, however, DASA typically expects to award between £50k and £100k for projects that last between 3 and 10 months.

2) Rapid Impact

In contrast to ‘Emerging Innovations’, this strand is for more developed innovations. In more detail, eligible proposals will deliver a technology model or prototype demonstration at around TRL 6 or 7. DASA expects to fund bids between £100k and £350k but there is again no specified funding limit. In addition, proposals should have a realistic prospect of achieving an impact within a 3-year time frame.

Innovation Focus Areas

DASA’s Open Call for Innovation welcomes a wide range of innovative ideas in order to solve problems linked to defence and security. However, there are several key areas of interest, as listed below:

• Armoured fighting vehicle short gap crossing capability
• Integrate information and physical activity across all domains
• Delivering agile command and control
• Operate and deliver effects in contested domains
• Defence people - skills, knowledge and experience
• Simulating future battlespace complexity

The next deadlines for DASA’s Open Call for Innovation are 11th August 2021 and 20th October 2021. You can find more information, including how to apply, here. Alternatively, please contact us today if you’d like to discuss an innovative idea with one of our expert advisers.

by Jonny O'Rourke

SBRI open call for innovation in cancer care

In collaboration with NHS England and NHS Improvement, the SBRI Healthcare Cancer Programme has announced a £15 million funding competition for innovation in cancer care. The funding is provided by the NHS Cancer Programme.

The competition aims to implement innovative solutions into the following front-line clinical cancer care settings: i) early detection and diagnosis of cancer and ii) diagnostic efficiency of cancer services. Funding is available for a number of innovation types. They include medical devices, digital health and equipment, behaviour intervention, and new models of care.

The competition brief asks applicants to consider the following questions:

• To what extent will the proposed solution impact cancer service? How will the system need to be changed (including people, processes and culture), in order to deliver system-wide benefits?
• How will applicants ensure that the innovation will be acceptable to patients (and their families and wider support network) and to clinician groups/health care professionals? In what way have these groups been involved in the design and development of the innovation?
• How will applicants ensure that the innovation is affordable to the NHS and wider system such as Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) both immediately and throughout the sustained life of the product? What evidence, both health economics and delivery of impact will the NHS and wider system require before the technology can be fully adopted?
• How will applicants ensure that the innovation takes into account equity of access and addresses unwarranted variation (e.g. takes account of underserved ethnic or economic groups/digital poverty) and helps the NHS towards its target to reach net zero carbon?
• What is the likely impact of this innovation in comparison to the current patient pathway? What is the potential impact on stage distribution and survival based on current data?
• How could the implementation of this innovation develop in the long term? You should take into account any relevant commitments in the NHS LTP.
• You should also consider improving staff working experience/practice and effects on patient perspective.

Eligibility 

This call is for products at a late stage of development. They must have achieved regulatory approvals and/or be in use in at least one trust. Any size organisation from the private, public and third sector can apply, providing that they are based in Europe. However, clinical sites can only be based in England. In the first instance, projects should last for up to 18 months and cost no more than £5 million.

The SBRI call for innovation in cancer care opens today, 17th March, and will close on 21^st April. You can find more information on the SBRI Healthcare website.

RedKnight has significant experience in supporting applications in the health sector; you can read some of our most recent case studies here. If you’d like to discuss your application with one of our advisers, please contact us today.

by Jonny O'Rourke

£92 million funding boost for green technologies

The UK Government has announced a £92 million funding boost for green technologies as part of the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. In the next year, they will launch three innovation challenges across key areas of the green energy sector. These include energy storage technology, floating offshore wind, and biomass production.

The development of these technologies will reduce costs of deployment across the energy sector. In addition, the green technologies will create highly skilled jobs across the UK and help grow the economy in the aftermath of Covid-19.

Following the announcement, Energy Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

“This funding will allow us to develop new ways of unlocking the potential for green energy as we continue making big strides towards our goal of eradicating our contribution to climate change by 2050.”

Energy storage innovation

Of the £92 million government investment, £68 million is allocated for the development of energy storage technologies to support a future renewable energy system. This competition will formally open to bids in the spring. However, you can express your interest now on the Government website.

Floating offshore wind

Secondly, the Government will invest £20 million in the advancement of floating offshore wind technology. Innovative projects in this area could advance vital components such as dynamic high voltage cable systems, moorings for challenging seabed conditions and foundations. You can lodge an expression of interest in the offshore wind competition now.

Sustainably sourced biomass

Thirdly, £4 million is available for projects that increase the production of sustainably sourced biomass in the UK. New innovations will help scale up sustainably sourced biomass feedstocks and the production of energy crops. As well as this, they will help to achieve improvements in yields, cost reductions and profitability.

The biomass feedstocks innovation competition is now open to applications. All applicants must register their interest by 31^st March and submit their full application by 7^th May. If you’re looking for bid writing support, please contact us to arrange a free consultation.

by Jonny O'Rourke

UK Government announces plans for ARIA: a high risk, high reward research agency

The UK government is set to launch an independent research agency to support the development of new technologies. The Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) will fund “high-risk, high-reward” research to secure the country’s position as a global science superpower.

While a launch date is not yet available, the Government expects ARIA to be fully operational by 2022. It will complement the work of the UK’s existing Research and Innovation body, UKRI, and build on the government’s R&D Roadmap. The agency will receive £800 million of government funding over the course of this Parliament.

How will it work?

ARIA will be independent of government and led by prominent, world-leading scientists. It will benefit from additional flexibility and speed, thanks to the simplification of R&D bureaucratic models. This will equip the agency to identify the most ambitious, cutting-edge areas of research and technology. In turn, these projects will lead to the creation of highly skilled jobs across the country.

Background

The UK has a long history of research and innovation. For example, Ada Lovelace and Alan Turing pioneered early predecessors of the computer, Thomas Newcomen and James Watt transformed travel by creating steam engines, and Frank Partridge helped save millions of lives by developing the first portable defibrillator. The UK government hopes that the creation of ARIA will continue this tradition.

The new agency is based on models that have proved successful in other countries, particularly the US Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) model. ARPA has enabled the creation of several transformational technologies, including the internet and GPS. Additionally, ARPA’s successor, DARPA, was a vital pre-pandemic funder of mRNA vaccines and antibody therapies, leading to critical Covid-19 therapies.

Following the announcement, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance said:

“The Advanced Research and Invention Agency will build on the UK’s world-class scientific research and innovation system. The importance of scientific innovation has never been clearer than over the last year and this new body provides an exciting new funding mechanism for pioneering R&D.”

We will provide further updates on ARIA as they become available. In the meantime, you can find relevant funding opportunities through UKRI’s Funding Finder.  Alternatively, sign up for our free monthly newsletter to receive our pick of the latest competitions direct to your inbox.

Source: UK Government

by Jonny O'Rourke

Energy Entrepreneurs Fund: £11 million available

A new round of the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund (EEF) is now open for applications. Energy entrepreneurs can apply for a share of £11 million to support the development of technologies, products and processes in the areas of energy efficiency, power generation and storage.

What is available?

Funding is available for between 15 and 20 projects, with each successful bidder receiving up to £1 million. In particular, the grant funding scheme aims to assist start-ups and SMEs. Successful applicants will also receive Acceleration Support.

What is the EEF?

The EEF is part of the BEIS £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. It has launched seven phases since it begun in 2012 and allocated a total of £72 million. Previous innovations include tech to anchor floating offshore wind turbines and the use of ash waste in glassmaking.

The competition presents an excellent opportunity for businesses throughout the whole of the UK. Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart, said:

“The chance to share in this funding is fantastic news for promising Welsh energy entrepreneurs.   The UK government is committed to achieving net zero carbon by 2050. We will do so by investing in pioneering projects, people and businesses, creating green jobs and opportunities for people across Wales.”

You can find more information on the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund here. Please note that you must register your interest by 26^th February and then submit your application by 30^th March. If you’d like to discuss a potential project with one of our advisers, contact us today.

You may also be interested in the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, which aims to help businesses with high energy use to cut their bills and emissions through investment in energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies. A new round will open on 8^th March. Businesses can apply for a share of £40 million for feasibility and engineering studies, as well as deployment projects.

by Jonny O'Rourke