Applied Inventions Management Stock Symbol

The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme supports the preclinical and clinical development of medical technologies in areas of existing or emerging patient need.

The Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme is a translational research funding scheme aimed at de-risking early-to-late stage medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and high-impact patient-focused digital health technologies for ultimate NHS use.

We fund projects that have demonstrated proof-of-concept and have a clear pathway towards adoption and commercialisation.

i4i has three funding streams: Product Development Awards (PDA), Challenge Awards and Connect. PDA and Challenge run two funding competitions a year, launching in autumn and spring, whereas Connect runs one funding competition each summer. See the full dates for i4i funding competitions. All i4i funding streams have a two-stage application process.

Funding stream	Autumn/Winter competition launch	Spring/Summer competition launch
Product Development Awards	October	April
Connect	n/a	August
Challenge Awards	November	April

If you have a specific query regarding the eligibility of your planned study, please submit a pre-engagement form. Please note, the turnaround time for a response is 72 hours.

Special calls

In November 2021, i4i is launching a standalone stream focusing on dementia. You can find more details about this call, Dementia: Digital approaches for early detection, diagnosis and stratification, in the funding opportunity.

Product Development Awards

i4i Product Development Awards (PDA) support translational research and development of medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and high-impact patient-focused digital health technologies for ultimate NHS use. The research proposals may address any disease or health area, provided there is a clear unmet clinical need. There is no upper funding limit for Product Development Awards, but costs must be fully justified.

Key eligibility criteria

• Projects can be led by small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SME), NHS providers or higher education institutions (HEIs).
• Projects must be collaborative between any two of the eligible types of organisation.
• Projects can last a minimum of 24 months and a maximum of 36 months.
• The lead organisation must be registered in England.

 What next?

• Read more about the PDA scope and requirements in our supporting information.
• Review the guidance for Stage 1 and Stage 2 applications and the frequently asked questions.
• Preview the application form for Stage 1 and Stage 2. (Please note that these are standard NIHR application forms. Small variations exist for the i4i programme in the live online application form; therefore, it isstrongly advised that you read the relevant Guidance for Applicants to check for programme-specific requirements.)
• Create an account on the Research Management System (RMS).
• Complete and submit your application on the RMS. Please note that the RMS is the only mode of submission.

PDA dates

Competition 23	Stage 1	Stage 2
Webinar	20 October 2021 (11am-12pm)	TBC
Competition launch	20 October 2021	17 February 2022
Submission deadline	8 December 2021	13 April 2022
Submission outcome	17 February 2022	July 2022

Additionally, the i4i funding programme is participating in the 2021 NIHR Highlight Notice on Dementia research to address important health and social care questions. For more information please see the 2021 NIHR Highlight Notice on Dementia specification document.

Competition 22	Stage 1	Stage 2
Webinar	12 April 2021 (2-3pm)	-
Competition launch	14 April 2021	10 August 2021
Submission deadline	9 June 2021 (1pm)	28 September 2021 (1pm)
Submission outcome	10 August 2021	December 2021

i4i PDA success rates

Challenge Awards

i4i Challenge Awards support market-ready innovations by addressing the translational gap between the clinical evaluation of technologies and their adoption, by funding the assessment of MedTech innovations in real-world healthcare settings. The expected output is a disruptive medical device or in vitro diagnostic test that can offer improved outcomes for NHS patients. There is no upper funding limit for the Challenge Awards, but costs must be fully justified.

Key eligibility criteria

• Projects can be led by SMEs, NHS providers or higher education institutions (HEIs).
• A minimum of two organisations must be involved and at least one of the collaborators must be from an NHS provider (e.g. an NHS Trust).
• Technologies must have demonstrated safety and efficacy and must have obtained or be in the process of obtaining CE marking.
• Project timelines can vary based on the required evidence for potential healthcare uptake and patient benefit. They can last up to 3 years, but a duration of up to 5 years will be considered if a longer period is needed to demonstrate long-term outcomes and a strong case is made.
• Lead applicants must be based in England.

What next?

• Read the full scope for the Challenge Awards in our supporting Information.
• Review the Challenge Stage 1 and Challenge Stage 2 application guidance.
• Preview the application form for Stage 1 and Stage 2. (Please note that these are standard NIHR application forms. Small variations exist for the i4i programme in the live online application form; therefore, it is strongly advised that you read the relevant Guidance for Applicants to check for programme-specific requirements)
• Create an account on the Research Management System (RMS).
• Complete and submit your application on the RMS. Please note that the RMS is the only mode of submission.

Challenge dates

Competition 13	Stage 1	Stage 2
Webinar	2 November 2021 (11am-12pm)	TBC
Competition launch	4 November 2021	23 March 2022
Submission deadline	12 January 2022	11 May 2022
Submission outcome	23 March 2022	July 2022

Competition 12	Stage 1	Stage 2
Webinar	14 April 2021 (11am-12pm)	-
Competition launch	14 April 2021	4 August 2021
Submission deadline	10 June 2021	22 September 2021
Submission outcome	4 August 2021	December 2021

Additionally, the i4i funding programme is participating in the 2021 NIHR Highlight Notice on Dementia research to address important health and social care questions. For more information please see the 2021 NIHR Highlight Notice on Dementia specification document.

i4i Challenge success rates

Connect

The i4i Connect programme supports two distinct funding streams:

Stream 1 - Connect

i4i Connect is aimed at small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and Tier C digital health technologies with direct patient benefits, looking to ultimately integrate into the NHS. The funding stream aims to help SMEs reach the next stage in the development pathway to apply for further funding, in particular for an i4i Product Development Award. i4i Connect is researcher-led and does not specify topics for research.

Stream 2 - Children and Young People's Mental Health (CYPMH)

Despite the high prevalence of mental health problems, many populations do not receive the support they need and there are significant inequalities to its access. Mental illness is increasing in the youngest members of society and the COVID-19 pandemic has also negatively impacted children and young people's mental health.

The NIHR i4i Programme is inviting proposals on the research and development of digital health technologies aimed at improving children and young people's mental health across England, with an emphasis on communities or regions with a high burden of common mental health conditions relative to ongoing research activity.

What next?

• For Stage 1 read the Connect call applicant guidance and the CYPMH call applicant guidance.
• Browse Connect FAQs.
• Create an account on the Research Management System (RMS).
• Complete and submit your application on the RMS. Please note that the RMS is the only mode of submission.

Dates

The next Connect competition will be competition 5. It will include a separate funding stream for the Digital Health Technologies for Children and Young People's Mental Health (CYPMH).

Connect 5 and CYPMH	Stage 1	Stage 2
Competition launch	17 August 2021	6 October 2021
Submission deadline	14 September 2021	2 November 2021
Submission outcome	October 2021	November 2021

i4i Connect success rates

i4i funding committees are multidisciplinary, comprising academic, clinical and commercial experts, as well as patient and public members.

We have four committees: two for our Product Development Awards (committee A and committee B), one for our Challenge Awards, and one for Connect.

Committee members review all Stage 1 and Stage 2 applications and make funding recommendations based on the quality of applications, with support from expert peer reviewers.

The committees recommend projects for funding to the Department of Health and Social Care, which approves which projects should be funded.

Members of NIHR committees are required to declare any interests which conflict, or may be considered to conflict, with NIHR business, or may be perceived as influencing decisions made in the course of their work within NIHR programmes. All members are asked to complete the Register of Interest form (annually), which is intended to capture long term predictable interests that could be perceived to lead to conflicts of interest. These and other interests are judged on a case by case basis at individual meetings.

NIHR registry of interests

Our programme director

Our selection committees

The Product Development Awards Selection Committee A is chaired by Mr Mark Kirby. View the full membership of Selection Committee A.

The Product Development Awards Selection Committee B is chaired by Mr Charles Spicer. View the full membership of Selection Committee B.

The Selection Committee for the Challenge Awards is chaired by Professor Nick Lemoine. View the full membership of the Challenge Awards Selection Committee.

The Selection Committee for i4i Connect is chaired by Professor Paul Sibbons. View the full membership of the Connect Selection Committee.

 Meeting minutes

We offer a wide variety of assistance during all stages of the research process. If in doubt, please get in touch.

Tel: 020 8843 8080
Email: i4i@nihr.ac.uk

Our operating hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm

Our team

Programme team

Director of Innovation Programmes and Head of Intellectual Property
Mr Ben Patient

Assistant Director
Dr Ruth Nebauer

Head of Special Projects
Dr Ian Newington

Innovation and Enterprises
Dr Raffaella Roncone

Senior Programme Managers
Dr Sandra Nwokeoha
Dr Andrew Barber
Dr Fanny Burrows
Ms Ami Hodges
Dr Caterina Lombardo
Mrs Paula Milton
Dr Raffaella Roncone
Dr Michelle Edye
Mr Edwin Tucker
Ms Rhanda Tajdeen
Dr Xi Ye

Programme Managers
Dr Aayesha Hassan
Ms Deimante Normantaite
Dr Silvana Cossins
Dr Francesca Troinani

Operations team

Senior Research Officers
Mr Bryan Dar

Research Officers
Mrs Tanya Dixey
Ms Cordelia Davey
Ms  Grace O'Toole
Ms Harkerat Jandu

Administrator
Ms Simisola Akin-Oke

Contact us

NIHR Central Commissioning Facility
Grange House
15 Church Street
Twickenham TW1 3NL

• Do you need help getting started? Contact the Research Design Service.
• Do you need assistance running your study in the NHS? Contact the Study Support Service.

Invention for Innovation - Dementia Call

The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme invites applications for a dementia-specific funding call aimed at the research and development of digital approaches for the early detection, diagnosis and stratification of individuals with dementia.

All i4i funding opportunities

All i4i documents

Applied Inventions Management Stock Symbol

Source: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/funding-programmes/invention-for-innovation.htm