MedTech Funding Support is an initiative from Health Innovation Wessex to support innovators applying for development grants.

The service is dedicated to helping innovators who meet eligibility criteria for NIHR innovation development grants to achieve their goal. MedTech Funding Support uses the expertise available among Health Innovation Wessex staff, and the extensive network they have developed, to give aspiring innovators and SMEs the backing they need to succeed.

We're particularly interested in hearing from innovators making advances within the fields of genomics, cancer, patient safety, polypharmacy, reducing health inequalities, cardiovascular disease, frailty, and children and young people's healthy weight and oral health. These are all current Wessex priority programmes, and qualifying bids will also only be supported if the research is being carried out in the region 

Engaging with MedTech Funding Support could be the first step to achieving a grant which takes your idea from proof of concept to the following stages of development, and ultimately towards NHS adoption and market launch.  

The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme supports the preclinical and clinical development of medical technologies in areas of existing or emerging patient need. During each round, specific funding opportunities will be in focus.    

If you are an innovator, start-up, small business or established company and believe you could be eligible for one of the open calls, apply now. To start the process complete our Innovator Engagement Form and state within it that you are interested in working with MedTech Funding Support and which grant(s) you intend applying for. 

We are currently accepting qualifying applications to support innovators with the NIHR i4i Connect call 9. For more information, use the link below: 

MedTech Funding Support for NIHR i4i Connect

NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) supports the preclinical and clinical development of medical technologies in areas of existing or emerging patient need. During each round, specific funding opportunities will be in focus. These will largely involve the i4i grant releases: 

• PDA (Product Development Award): Stage 1 and 2 PDAs fund the development of disruptive early-stage medical technologies that address existing or emerging healthcare needs. They support translational projects developing medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and digital health technologies that are patient-focused and for ultimate NHS or social care use. 

• Connect aims to help SMEs reach the next stage in the development pathway to apply for further funding, particularly the PDA. 

• FAST (Funding at the Speed of Translation) funding is aimed at innovators in need of a small amount to answer a single specific question to address an evidence gap in developing an innovation.