Complete your Intention to Submit by 31 July, then make your full application by 5pm on Mon 31 August 2026
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.
Key dates:
Round 6 impact funding: now open – application deadline 31 August 2026
Round 7 impact funding: opens early September – application deadline 30 November 2026
There may be one final call in Spring 2027 subject to funding availability.
Please complete our contact form to register for updates if you’re interested in later rounds.
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.
No, businesses and commercial entities cannot apply as the project lead. Our impact project funding is specifically designed to accelerate the translation of research originating from UK universities or eligible NHS Trusts. This means the lead applicant must be an academic or NHS clinician. However, we actively encourage industry collaboration, and our funding offers a fantastic opportunity for UK institutions to partner with Yorkshire’s world-leading medical technologies companies in support of activities such as out-licencing or scale up manufacturing of products.
For a partnership to be eligible, the business takes the role of a collaborator rather than the project lead. Our IP terms are such that, except for third party consultant or subcontractors, all intellectual property shall belong to the party that generates them. The use of any foreground IP generated by a university or NHS partner would require a commercial licence to be negotiated.
Careful consideration for businesses based outside of the Yorkshire region will be needed on how growth of the Yorkshire region MedTech economy can be demonstrated through the project, this might include opening a new business site or relocating to Yorkshire.
If your company has already spun out and is legally registered as a business, it is classified as a commercial entity. Therefore, the spin-out itself cannot lead an application but is welcome to join the bid as a project collaborator alongside an academic or clinical lead where there would be benefit for the university or Trust in translation of engineering and physical sciences-related research, beyond benefits for the company.
As above, a commercial licence to any IP arising from a university or Trust would be required should the spin-out wish to make use of this.
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 at least every six months. It typically takes around 10 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.
Replay our previous webinars for application tips and insights from current award holders