Our funding structure is designed to support the progression of your fundamental research through crucial stages that will support real-world impact. Each stage addresses specific development challenges, enabling you to secure appropriate support on your journey – from market appraisal through technical feasibility to proof of concept. This approach reduces risk whilst facilitating the early stages of commercialisation of medical technologies arising from university research.
Establish a market or clinical need, including market research, competitor technology analysis, IP reviews, regulatory strategy, studies to obtain external commercial, clinical or patient opinions.
Typical project duration: 3 – 6 months.
Demonstrate the feasibility of a technology concept, initial prototype development and testing, ensuring the technology is designed to meet user demands from the outset. Relevant and up-to-date analyses demonstrating market / clinical needs to be in place already for this stage.
Typical project duration: 6 -9 months.
Larger technical development programmes to achieve commercially identified milestones, co-developed with end users to demonstrate technical and commercial feasibility. Clinical and commercial partners are required for this stage, and proven technical feasibility and market/clinical need must already be in place.
Typical project duration: 12-18 months.
Each stage has specific prerequisites reflecting the maturity of your technology. For all stages, the underpinning basic research must already be completed – our focus is helping you translate your research into impact. Stage 2 requires evidence of relevant and up to date proof of market analyses. Stage 3 requires demonstrated technical feasibility and the active engagement of your technology transfer office, as well as proof of market need. If your project already meets these requirements through other funding or activities, you can apply directly to the appropriate stage. Contact us to discuss your project’s readiness.
We run project calls every six months, with closing dates in May and November. It typically takes 6 weeks from closing date to indicative decision, following expert panel review. We aim to release funding within 4 months, subject to contract.
Follow-on applications are actively encouraged – the staged approach is designed to support project progression, as key questions are answered. We are happy to advise on appropriate timing for follow-on applications, including further proof of concept studies where appropriate.
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